85.4 LMT paddy procured in Punjab, Rs 19,800 crore paid to 4 lakh farmers: Centre

Over 4,000 millers already allotted work, purchase in full swing, says Food Ministry

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Updated At : 05:47 AM Nov 04, 2024 IST

Slack procurement of paddy has of late led to massive protests in Punjab. Photo: Himanshu Mahajan

The Centre on Sunday said as on November 2, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies had procured 85.41 lakh metric tonne (LMT) of paddy from Punjab during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-2025.

The Centre said it had disbursed Rs 19,800 crore, benefitting four lakh farmers of the state, and Punjab paddy procurement was in full swing, with 4,132 of nearly 5,500 rice millers already allotted work.

“As of November 2, 2024, a total quantity of 90.69 LMT paddy has arrived in Punjab mandis, of which 85.41 LMT have been procured by the state agencies and FCI,” the Food Ministry said.

An official said paddy was being purchased at the MSP of Rs 2,320 per quintal, as decided by the Government of India for Grade ‘A’ paddy, and the total paddy purchased by government till date in the ongoing KMS 2024-25 amounted to Rs 19,800 crore, benefitting 4 lakh farmers.

“So far, 4,640 millers have applied for the shelling of paddy and 4,132 millers have already been allotted work by the Punjab Government,” the ministry added.

The official added that the procurement of paddy for KMS 2024-25 had commenced in Punjab from October 1 and 2,927 designated mandis and temporary yards were operational across the state for smooth procurement from the Punjab’s farmers.

“The Central Government has fixed an estimated target of 185 LMT for paddy procurement for the ongoing season, which will continue until November 30. Though the procurement commenced a bit late due to heavy rains in September and high moisture content in paddy, it is back on track and has picked up in full swing now,” the Centre said.

Food Minister Pralhad Joshi had recently assured the farmers of the state of procuring every single grain of paddy at the promised MSP. The Centre said it had made arrangements to procure 185 LMT paddy, which would yield roughly 120 LMT rice and had enough storage for the same. The assurances had come in the wake of slack paddy procurement in the state and fears that there was acute shortage of space to store the foodgrain.