Paddy procurement crosses 43 lakh tonnes mark in Punjab

Chandigarh, Oct 15 (UNI) Paddy procurement in Punjab has crossed 43 lakh tonnes mark in the state with mandis of Forozepur division maintaining their lead.

According to an official spokesman, six government agencies and traders have so far procured 43,94,899 tonnes paddy in the state.

Pungrain has procured 10,38,176 tonnes of paddy, Markfed procured 9,13,295 tonnes of paddy. Punsup has procured 9,12,884 tonnes of paddy whereas Punjab State Warehousing Corporation has procured 5,27,115 tonnes besides 4,94,909 tonnes of paddy being procured by Punjab Agro.

The Central Government Agency FCI has procured only 52,998 tonnes of paddy. The millers had procured 4,55,522 tonnes of paddy by Tuesday.

The mandis of Ferozepur division recorded 22,56,862 tonnes of paddy with maximum of 8,55,269 tonnes being recorded by Ferozepur district.

The mandis in Amritsar Division recorded 14,66,327 tonnes of paddy with Kapurthala recording maximum paddy by Tuesday to the tune of 3, 42,316 tonnes.

The spokesman said that six government agencies have paid over Rs 2,391.70 crores for paddy procured by them during the first 15 days of current Kharif Marketing Season.

UNI PS AK KN1833