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Special girdawri for rain-hit paddy, cotton crops Khanna, September 26 Addressing a rally of farmers in the Asia’s biggest grain market here, after formally launching paddy procurement, he announced that the procurement of cotton would commence from October 1. Coming to the relief of cotton growers in the Bathinda belt, the Chief Minister announced a special girdawri of rain-hit areas. “The government has already sought reports from Deputy Commissioners and the compensation would be announced soon. The compensation would be paid before the sowing of wheat,” he said. Similarly, girdawri and compensation process would be undertaken in the case of paddy growers. He said he had got reports that rains had considerably damaged the crop in Jalandhar district. He said he had requested the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, a couple of days ago to pre-pone the paddy procurement by a week. He said if any farmer had any grievance or complaint against any official or commission agent he should bring it in the notice of the Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Avtar Henry. Capt Amarinder Singh also announced that the Cotton Corporation of India would commence the procurement from October 1. He said the government was expecting a bumper cotton crop despite some damage caused to the crop due to rains in few areas of Bathinda and Mansa districts. Speaking on the occasion, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, said the FCI had been causing problems for the farmers. He called upon the FCI Chairman to take personal interests in solving farmers’ problems. The Food and Supplies Minister said elaborate arrangements had been made for the smooth procurement. He said bumper paddy crop was expected this year. “This time we are expecting to reach around 155 to 160 lakh MT against the last year target of 150 lakh MT,” he claimed. The Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the FCI, Mr V.K. Malhotra, and the Cooperation Minister, Mr Jasjit Singh Randhawa, also addressed the gathering. Prominent among those present at the function were Ms Preneet Kaur, MP, Ms Harbans Kaur Dullo and Mr Surinder Dawar, both Parliamentary Secretaries, Dr B.C. Gupta, Principal Secretary, Food and Supplies, Mr S.S. Channi, Managing Director, Markfed, Mr Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Director, Food and Supplies, Mr Nahar Singh Gill, Mayor, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, and Mr Parmajit Singh Sibia, Chairman, Improvement Trust.  |
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