CHANDIGARH: Ludhiana has superceded Sangrur district to get first position in paddy procurement by lifting 13.49 lakh tonnes out of the total procurement of 106 lakh tonnes (LT) by both government agencies and private millers in the state.

Sangrur and Ferozepur districts occupied second and third position with 11.87 LT and 11.43 LT respectively till last evening, according to an official release issued here on Sunday. For many years, top position was accupied by Sangrur district.

Out of total procurement of 105.52 LT, state-run agencies procured 86.26 LT of paddy while millers lifted 19.25 LT.

PUNGRAIN and MARKFED procured 21.69 LT and 20.47 LT respectively. PUNSUP, PSWC and PAIC lifted 21.97 LT, 11.65 LT and 9.38 LT of paddy respectively.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) procured 1.09 lakh tonne, it said and added that Punjab Government has already released payment of Rs 5,250.41 crore for paddy procured till October 26.