Over 48 lakh tonnes paddy procured in Punjab

Chandigarh, Oct 16 (UNI) Paddy procurement in Punjab crossed 48 lakh tonnes mark with Ferozepur district maintaining its lead in the state.

According to an official spokesman, by Wednesday paddy procurement by six government agencies and traders has reached 48,36,861 tonnes.

Out of the total procurement, Pungrain had procured 11,60,057 tonnes of paddy, Markfed 10,07,991 tonnes, Punsup procured 10,07,954 tonnes of paddy whereas Punjab State Warehousing Corporation procured 5,80,893 tonnes of paddy besides 5,38,919 tonnes of paddy procured by Punjab Agro.

The central government agency FCI has procured only 56,434 tonnes of paddy, which is just 1.3 per cent of the total procurement while the millers have procured 4,84,613 tonnes of paddy.

Ferozpur district with 9,01,889 tonnes of paddy is leading in the state.

The spokesman said that six government agencies have so far paid over Rs 2,562 crores for paddy procured by the agencies during the first 16 days of current Kharif Marketing Season.

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