CM Bhagwant Mann Meets Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Flags Grain Crisis, ₹9,000 Crore Dues & Farmers’ Concern

Punjab Chief Minister engages with the Union Food Minister to press for faster grain lifting, release of rural development funds, and lower procurement costs, aiming to stabilise mandis and support farmers ahead of the new season.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on 10 April 2026. During the meeting, Mann pressed for urgent action on grain lifting, blocked funds and interest rates. Mann urged the Centre not to ignore Punjab’s interests, saying pending issues were hurting farmers, commission agents and the wider state economy.

Mann highlighted that Punjab’s foodgrain storage crisis needed quick decisions before the new procurement season. The Chief Minister said slow movement of old stocks, withheld financial dues and high borrowing costs together strained state finances. According to Mann, resolving these linked problems would ease pressure on mandis, warehouses and the rural economy before the next crop reaches markets.

Punjab CM Delhi Visit grain storage and lifting issues

The Chief Minister flagged nearly 15.5 million metric tonnes of wheat and rice lying in Punjab godowns. Mann asked the Centre to speed up lifting of this grain before fresh arrivals in mandis. Delayed evacuation, Mann said, leaves little storage space. Farmers then struggle to sell produce on time, which affects income and disrupts procurement operations across the state.

Punjab CM Delhi Visit rural development fund and CCL interest

Another key point was the pending Rural Development Fund of about ₹9,000 crore. Mann told Joshi that this money was crucial for village roads and other rural infrastructure. Mann also demanded a cut in heavy interest on the Cash Credit Limit used for procurement. Lower rates, Mann argued, would reduce the financial burden on Punjab’s treasury.

Mann raised concerns of commission agents and labourers working in mandis, calling them central to the procurement chain. The Chief Minister urged the Union government to prioritise demands of arhatiyas. Mann also sought quick resolution of Employees’ Provident Fund issues troubling mandi workers. Mann stated that ignoring rightful claims of these groups would weaken the agricultural support system.

Punjab CM Delhi Visit farmer compensation and Centre’s response

The Chief Minister asked for special compensation for farmers whose crops were damaged by unseasonal rain. Mann said the government must help when nature destroys harvests. Mann reminded Joshi that Punjab farmers supply grain to the entire country. Joshi assured Mann that the Union government would “consider all these demands sympathetically” before taking decisions.