Centre to lift 18 LMT of old stock from Punjab mandis before paddy procurement: CM

Mann, who also met Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Delhi, said the Punjab government had stepped up preparations to ensure seamless procurement and timely payment to farmers, asserting that no farmer will face difficulty in selling the produce

Ahead of the paddy procurement season, the Centre has agreed to lift 18 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of old grain stock lying in Punjab mandis by September 20, clearing crucial storage space for the state’s expected bumper paddy crop, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said after meeting Union food and public distribution minister Pralhad Joshi in Delhi on Saturday.

Punjab chief secretary KAP Sinha and principal secretary to CM Dr Ravi Bhagat, among others, were also present on the occasion. (HT PHOTO)

Mann, who also met Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar in Delhi, said the Punjab government had stepped up preparations to ensure seamless procurement and timely payment to farmers, asserting that no farmer will face difficulty in selling the produce.

With Punjab expected to supply 170 LMT of good-quality rice this year, Mann said securing adequate storage and procurement arrangements was vital not only for Punjab’s farmers but also for the country’s food security.

Impressing upon the urgent need to create the required space for delivery of balance rice of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26, Mann said, “During my meeting with Union food minister Pralhad Joshi, I sought immediate movement of 18 LMT of rice from Punjab. It is imperative that all balance rice of KMS 2025-26 can be delivered in the central pool. Despite persistent paucity of space with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), our state procurement agencies have successfully delivered 86 LMT of rice to FCI till date.”

Punjab chief secretary KAP Sinha and principal secretary to CM Dr Ravi Bhagat, among others, were also present on the occasion.