Chandigarh, April 28:The single day lifting during the present wheat procurement season has surpassed 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) and currently stands at 5,26,750 MT. This positive trend needs to be carried on in future also as the pace of lifting must be increased as there would be no compromise on that count.

While taking stock of the Wheat procurement during a Video Conferencing with all the Deputy Commissioners here today at Anaj Bhawan, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak was apprised that the arrival of Wheat in the mandis of Punjab has crossed 100 LMT mark.

Further, over 97 LMT of wheat stands procured till date while during the same period last year the figures pertaining to the procured crop stood at 81 LMT. As regards the payments, over Rs. 20000 Crore have been credited into the accounts of the farmers which is a testimony to the farmer friendly approach of the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He also said that till now, 5.84 lakh farmers have sold their wheat in the mandis.

The Minister emphasized upon the DCs to ensure that no problem occurs at the mandis under their respective jurisdiction in respect of bardana, basic amenities such as cleanliness, payments to the farmers, drinking water and the crates.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Rahul Tewari, Director Varinder Kumar Sharma, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board Ramvir, MD PUNSUP Sonali Giri, Additional Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar and GM Finance Sarvesh Kumar.