Punjab's wheat contrbution to Centre nearing 100 lakh tonnes

Chandigarh, May 11 (UNI) The Punjab government's wheat target to the central pool was pegged at 80 lakh tonnes, but with a bumper harvest, the state has already made a handsome contribution of 95.35 lakh tonnes to the Centre.

During the last rabi season the state had contributed 60.94 lakh tonnes which fell far short of the target of 80 lakh tonnes. The bumper harvest took place despite the fact the area under wheat this year only increased marginally, from 34.67 lakh hectares last year to 34.80 lakh hectares this year.

However the share to the central pool may go up further as till yesterday evening the procurement agencies and the private traders had purchased 100.98 lakh tonnes wheat.

According to an official spokesman, out of the total procurement made so far, 95,35,273 tonnes had been procured for the central pool and 2,80,038 tonnes for the state pool. The traders lifted 2,83,492 tonnes of wheat.

Ferozepur district with 11,74,915 tonnes was leading in procurement operations followed by Sangrur district with 9,43,036 tonnes and Ludhiana district with 8,39,262 tonnes.

The Punjab Government has allocated more than Rs 11,116 crore to the procurement agencies for making payment to the farmers for wheat procured upto May10, ensuring payment to the farmers within 48 hours of lifting of their produce.

UNI HS MMS1719