States » NorthPosted at: Oct 5 2026 10:30PM


Punjab agencies procure 3.44 lakh tonnes of paddy, Rs 188 crore paid to farmers: Minister

Chandigarh, Oct 5 (UNI) Punjab's state procurement agencies have purchased 3.44 lakh metric tonnes of paddy out of 3.83 lakh tonnes that have arrived in grain markets so far, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said on Monday.
Reviewing procurement arrangements at the Kharar grain market, Kataruchak said the government had paid Rs 188 crore to farmers and would accelerate the pace of lifting in the coming days.
He said there was no shortage of gunny bags and the state had made arrangements to handle the procurement season.
Punjab expects to procure about 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for the central pool, the minister said, adding that the Reserve Bank of India had sanctioned a Cash Credit Limit of Rs 42,786 crore for procurement operations.
Kataruchak directed procurement agencies to ensure that payments were credited to farmers' bank accounts within 24 hours of the purchase being entered in official records.
He also interacted with farmers and commission agents during his visit to assess problems at the ground level.
AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang, who accompanied the minister, said the Punjab government was in contact with the Centre over clearance of existing paddy stocks to make storage space available for the fresh crop.
Kang said Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had written to union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi on the issue.
The state government said it had instructed procurement agencies to coordinate closely to ensure timely purchase, lifting, and payment during the season.
UNI NB MCR
Tags: #Punjab agencies procure 3.44 lakh tonnes of paddy# Rs 188 crore paid to farmers: Minister
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