Punjab CM orders clearance of pending dues of farmers as RBI sanctions Rs 30220 cr CCL for Oct paddy procurement

Stating this here on Wednesday, an official spokesperson said the total expected amount of CCL required for the entire paddy procurement season is Rs 35,552 crore, of which Rs 30,220.82 crore has been released and the balance amount would be released as per the standard practice of revising the amount at the end of this month while sanctioning the CCL for November.

Expressing satisfaction at the pace of procurement, Capt Amarinder Singh has asked the Food and Civil Supplies Minister to ensure prompt lifting of the production and release of payment to farmers within the stipulated timeframe of 72 hours for the procurement to be undertaken now.

He also expressed satisfaction with 15.6 LMT of paddy procured by various agencies till date.

With 27.36 Lakh hectares of area under paddy cultivation, Punjab is targeting procurement of 171 Lakh Metric Tonnes in the ongoing season which began on Sept 27, the spokesperson said.

Elaborate arrangements have been made by the government to ensure hassle-free and safe procurement amid COVID-19.

The Punjab Mandi Board has already notified nearly 4000 Purchase Centers for seamless procurement of paddy, thus ensuring strict adherence to Covid safety protocols, the spokesperson added.