Over 100 LMT of wheat procured

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 29

Punjab has successfully crossed 100 lakh metric tonne (LMT) in wheat procurement despite several challenges, especially the ongoing second wave of amid the pandemic.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said nearly 77 per cent of total procurement operations had already been accomplished within 19 days after commencement of wheat procurement from April 10. He said of the total estimated arrival of 130 LMT of wheat, the state mandis recorded the arrival of 101.86 LMT so far, of which 100.17 LMT had been procured during the ongoing rabi marketing season (RMS).

Nearly 164 per cent more wheat arrived in mandis this year as compared to corresponding period of last year, with 62.44 LMT of wheat had arrived till date in the previous Rabi Marketing Season.

Ashu further stated 10.12 LMT of wheat has alone arrived in the mandis of Sangrur district, of which 10.04 LMT had been procured till April 28. He said after Sangrur, Ludhiana and Patiala are amongst the districts with maximum arrival of wheat in the state i.e. 8.25 LMT and 8.16 LMT, respectively. He also stated that 16.48 lakh passes have been issued so far to the farmers through arthiyas to ensure staggered movement of wheat in mandis.

He pointed out that the payment worth Rs. 15500 crore has also been paid to 603602 lac farmers under the newly implemented DBT system.

RBI extends CCL for state up to May-end

Chandigarh: The RBI on Thursday extended Cash Credit Limit (CCL) for Punjab up to May for the wheat procurement season. The RBI has extended the CCL of Rs2,953.46 crore till the end of May. With this, the sanctioned limit of Rs21,658.73 crore for April-end has been enhanced to Rs24,612.19 crore up to end of May, according to a spokesperson. tns