Mandis in Punjab to start closing from May 5: Lal Chand Kataruchakk
Chandigarh, May 3: In the wake of a drastic decline in wheat arrivals across Punjab, the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs has decided to conclude the procurement of wheat in mandis across the state.
Addressing the media, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk said the closure of mandis in Punjab would be carried out in a phased manner beginning May 5. A notification in this regard would be issued by the Mandi Board.
The minister thanked farmers, arhtiyas, mandi labour, transporters and government officials involved in the month-long exercise of the procurement of wheat in Punjab. He expressed satisfaction on the pace of purchase and the speedy disbursal of MSP dues directly into the bank accounts of farmers.
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He said this happened despite the challenges posed by inclement weather. Punjab had purchased more than 93 lakh tonne of wheat so far, the Punjab minister added.
The minister said the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, had decided to send a second set of officials to take samples from the mandis to ascertain the extent of problem of shrivelling of grains. He assured full cooperation of the Punjab Government in the exercise.
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-PTC News
