Paddy procurement: 71700 million paid
The state agencies have paid over Rs.7170.74 crore to the farmers for the paddy procured by them since October 26 2007 fulfilling the commitment of Punjab government of making payment to them within 72 hours of lifting paddy.
According to an official spokesman the procurement of Paddy in Punjab entered the final phase as total procurement by Government agencies and private millers neared last year procurement figure of 124 lac tonnes mark on Thursday evening.
He said that out of total procurement of 123,54,776 tonnes of paddy in the state, Government agencies have procured 101,27,354 tonnes of paddy (82%) till date whereas millers have lifted 22,27,422 tonnes (18%) of paddy. Till November 8, 2007, PUNGRAIN had procured 25,96,393 tonnes (25.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 23,88,474 tonnes (23.6%). PUNSUP procured 25,68,085 tonnes (25.4%) , PSWC procured 13,38,584 tonnes (13.2%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 11,05,057 tonnes (10.9%) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1,30,761 tonnes (1.3%).
The spokesman added that District Ludhiana with 16,40,921 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Sangrur with 15,53,196 tonnes of procurement was at No. 2 and district Patiala with 12,85,347 tonnes of procurement ranked at no. 3.
The spokesman said that Rs.7755.91 crore payments have been allocated to all agencies to ensure timely payment to the farmers. The Government had already issued instructions to make payment to the farmers with in 72 hours of lifting paddy
He said that to ensure smooth procurement and timely payments to the farmers during Kharif Season 2007-08, the Punjab Government has already got a cash credit limit of Rs. 9058.50 Crores sanctioned from Reserve Bank of India. The Punjab government has sought sanction of Rs. 950 crore more from RBI keeping in view the expected procurement this month.
The State Government has set up 1544 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.