Over 70,000 tonnes paddy procured in Punjab on first day

Chandigarh, Sep 30 (UNI) On the first day of procurement the six government agencies and millers procured 76,923 tonnes of paddy till yesterday evening, an official release here today stated.

On the request of the Punjab Government the Centre had advanced paddy procurement by two days following early arrival of paddy in the border districts of the state.

Of the total grain purchased, Pungrain procured 22,614 tonnes of paddy, Markfed procured 16,269 tonnes, Punsup procured 9728 tonnes, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation procured 10,356 tonnes and Punjab Agros purchased 7775 tonnes. Food Corporation of India (FCI) procured only 115 tonnes of paddy yesterday.

The private millers procured 10,066 tonnes of paddy, according to the release. Kapurthala district led in procurement, with 18,252 tonnes, followed by Bathinda with 13,283 tonnes.

The Punjab Mandi Board had setup 1622 procurement centres throughout the state to ensure smooth procurement of the food grain.

The spokesman said that farmers of the state have been assured payment of paddy procured by the government agencies within 48 hours of lifting of paddy from the procurement centres.

UNI HS RP AS1755