43 LMT paddy procured, ₹6,100 crore paid to Punjab farmers: Minister

Pointing out further, the minister said the state government had set up 1,845 procurement centers, where the process was going on seamlessly. Kataruchak said he was monitoring the process and had already visited 17 districts to inspect the paddy procurement.

Expressing immense satisfaction over the ongoing paddy procurement across the state, Punjab food and civil supplies minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Monday said 45 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) paddy had arrived in the mandis of which 43.50 LMT was procured.

At least 45 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) paddy has arrived in Punjab mandis of which 43.50 LMT has been procured. (File)

While taking stock of paddy procurement at Kapurthala local grain market on Monday, Kataruchak said payments worth ₹6,100 crore have already been disbursed to the farmers for their crop.

“The lifting was also going on expeditiously as more than 20 LMT had been lifted so far. The minister also interacted with farmers and labourers to get info about the arrangement and facilities in the grain markets,” he said.

Pointing out further, the minister said the state government had set up 1,845 procurement centers, where the process was going on seamlessly. Kataruchak said he was monitoring the process and had already visited 17 districts to inspect the paddy procurement.

He also urged the farmers to bring only dry paddy to the mandis so that their produce is procured within minimal time.