Hopeful For ₹4.75 Per Quintal Increase In Arhtiyas’ Commission On Paddy & Wheat: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann

To speed up the lifting of food grains in Punjab, the central government has agreed to run special trains. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann shared this information after meeting Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi.

With this decision, around 15.5 million metric tonnes of wheat and rice will be cleared from state warehouses.

Warehouses Full, Space Running Out for New Crop

Most warehouses in Punjab are currently full, leaving very little space for the new wheat crop. According to officials, the state has capacity to store only about 0.50 lakh metric tonnes of rice.

As the new harvest has started arriving in mandis, it has become necessary to move the old stock to other states quickly.

Special Trains to Ensure Smooth Procurement

The special railway racks approved by the Centre will move old grain stocks in phases. This will help maintain smooth procurement in mandis and ensure that farmers do not face delays in selling their crops.

The government believes that timely lifting will reduce storage problems and prevent overcrowding in markets.

Concerns Over Grain Quality and Monitoring

During the meeting, the Chief Minister said that keeping grains in warehouses for too long can affect their quality. He urged the Food Corporation and other central agencies to regularly monitor the lifting process.

Officials have been asked to ensure that enough storage space is available before every procurement season.

₹9,000 Crore RDF Fund Issue Raised

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues. He said that around ₹9,000 crore of Punjab's RDF is still pending with the Centre.

This money is meant for modernising mandis, improving infrastructure, and repairing rural roads. The state has demanded that the funds be released without delay.

The Centre assured that a secretary-level meeting will be held soon to decide on the release of the funds. If full payment is not possible at once, the state suggested releasing it in instalments.

High Interest Rates Increasing Financial Burden

The issue of financial pressure due to cash credit limits (CCL) was also discussed. Punjab takes loans from banks to purchase wheat and paddy.

The Chief Minister said that the State Bank of India is charging 0.55% higher interest than the rate given to the Centre. This is increasing the state's costs.

According to estimates, this higher rate and compound interest are adding an extra burden of around ₹500 crore every season. The state has demanded equal interest rates to reduce financial stress.

Crop Damage Due to Rain and Hailstorm

Unseasonal rain and hailstorms have caused serious damage to standing wheat crops. The Chief Minister said that farmers in several districts are suffering heavy losses.

He requested the Centre to send a special team immediately to assess the damage on the ground.

The state also demanded quick financial assistance for affected farmers, warning that delays in compensation could push many into debt.

Commission for Agents and Labour Payment Issues

The issue of commission for commission agents (arhtiyas) was also discussed. The Centre has proposed an increase of about ₹4.75 per quintal, but agent organisations have rejected it as insufficient.

The Chief Minister suggested fixing the commission at 2.5% of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), stating that agents play a key role in procurement, storage, and payments.

Labour Charges and Pending Payments

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about labour payments. He said that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) deducts around 30% of labour charges in the name of EPF, which has led to about ₹50 crore being stuck with agents.

He suggested that FCI should release full payments based on affidavits, similar to state agencies.

A Combined Effort to Improve the System

After the meeting, the state government believes that if all these steps-special trains, RDF fund release, fair interest rates, proper commission, and labour payment relief-are implemented together, Punjab's procurement system will improve significantly.

This will help clear warehouse space, ensure timely payments to farmers, and reduce current problems related to grain lifting.