Make paddy procurement process easier: DC to administration

The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Pallavi, has asked the administration officials to ensure that farmers bringing their produce to the mandis were not harassed on any pretext. She said this keeping in view of the busy schedule of residents of rural localities because of the panchayat election as well as the paddy harvesting season.

Identifying rice millers and commission agents as major stakeholders during paddy procurement season, the DC has urged the government personnel to ensure that suggestions put forward by them (millers and commission agents) were discussed with senior functionaries of the administration.

She said the commission agents have also been asked to cooperate with the officials of procurement agencies so that the process of procurement and lifting of the paddy purchased from farmers went smoothly.

The Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner, Dr Pallavi, said officials of procurement agencies and market committees had been asked to ensure all farmers bringing their produce for sale were freed without delay so they (farmers) could get enough time to prepare fields for the sowing of the next crop.

She said officials concerned have been advised to solve problems regarding jute bags, labour and transportation of purchased commodities in advance so farmers bringing paddy get ample space for dumping and rice millers and commission agents too would not be overburdened.

“Having received first-hand information about routine problems faced by farmers, rice millers and commission agents in the past, we have advised officers concerned to ensure extra efforts are made to ensure hassle-free and prompt procurement of the produce of the farmers,” said Dr Pallavi. She added farmers have also been asked to follow standard guidelines on harvesting parameters of produce being brought to grain markets.

DC Pallavi said authorities expected the arrival of around 5.21 lakh MT of paddy during the forthcoming season, and officials concerned have asked to pull up socks for completing arrangements at 46 grain markets in the district.

ADC Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu, Assistant Commissioner Gurmit Bansal, District Mandi Officer Jaspal Singh and District Food Supply Controller Daisy Khosla were present in the meeting.