CHANDIGARH: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 116 lakh tonnes of paddy till last evening

Out of total procurement of 115, 72,027 tonnes of Paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab , Government agencies procured 95,04,191 tonnes of paddy (82.1%) till date whereas millers have lifted 20,67,836 tonnes    (17.9 %) of paddy. Till October 31, PUNGRAIN had procured 24,15,190 tonnes ( 25.4%) whereas MARKFED procured 22,48,136 tonnes (23.7%). PUNSUP procured 24,09,774 tonnes (25.4%) , PSWC procured 12,69,986 tonnes (13.4%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 10,38,024 tonnes (10.9 %) of paddy.

 The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1,23,081 tonnes (1.3%). 

The spokesman added that District Ludhiana with 15,28,513 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas  District Sangrur with 14,10,176 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with a   12,17,898  tonnes of procurement ranked at third position. 

The farmers have been paid Rs.6217.48 crores for paddy procured by government agencies alone till October 30, 2007.Different government agencies have been allocated Rs. 7089.74 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 spokesman added.