CHANDIGARH: Out of total procurement of 110,78,159 tonnes of Paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 90.96.345 tonnes of paddy (82.1%) till date whereas millers have lifted 19,81,814 tonnes    (17.9 %) of paddy.

Till October 29, PUNGRAIN had procured 23,02,010 tonnes (25.3%) whereas MARKFED procured 21,55,886 tonnes (23.7%). PUNSUP procured 23,10,702 tonnes (25.4%) , PSWC procured 12,23,367 tonnes ( 13.4%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 9,88,222 tonnes (10.9 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1,16,158 tonnes (1.3%).   The spokesman added that District Ludhiana with 14,43,272 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas  District Sangrur with 13,08,718 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with a   11,74,012 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

 The farmers have been paid Rs.5508.01crores for paddy procured by government agencies alone till October 28, 2007.Different government agencies have been allocated Rs. 6525.15 crores to ensure smooth procurement.  

The spokesman said that   to ensure smooth procurement and timely payments to the farmers, the Punjab Government  has already got a cash credit limit of Rs. 7439 Crores sanctioned from Reserve Bank of India  for  Kharif Season 2007-08

The State Government has set up 1544 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman0 added.