Ludhiana DC reviews paddy procurement arrangements

He urged rice shelling mills to provide their spaces for mandi yards so that the maximum number of purchase centres can be set up in the district

With only a few days left to start procurement of paddy, Ludhiana deputy commissioner (DC) Varinder Kumar Sharma on Monday, held a meeting with officials to review the preparations to ensure hassle-free, smooth and timely procurement of paddy crop.

Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma during a meeting with officials to review paddy procurement arrangements in Ludhiana on Monday. (HT photo)

The meeting was attended by office-bearers of district commission agents association, rice shelling mills and commission agents besides DMs of procurement agencies and farmers.

The DC, while, soliciting the support, urged rice shelling mills to provide their spaces for mandi yards so that the maximum number of purchase centres can be set up in the district to ensure smooth and timely procurement of the crop.

He said that to maintain social distancing and avoid the spread of coronavirus, a similar concept for procurement of wheat will be adopted in which the procurement will be made in a staggered manner as farmers will enter the mandis with passes issued to them.

While ensuring procurement of every single grain of paddy, he appealed to farmers and commission agents to cooperate with the district administration in this exceptional and difficult times. He also appealed farmers to bring paddy crops with prescribed moisture content to the grain markets for timely procurement.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner also directed district mandi officer (DMO) Devinder Singh to ensure all the necessary arrangements at grain markets for hassle-free procurement besides maintaining hygiene and social distancing.