CHANDIGARH: The Government agencies and private millers procured more than 121 lalk tonnes of paddy till Monday evening.

Out of total procurement of 121,75,817 tonnes of Paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 99,93,726 tonnes of paddy (82.1%) till date whereas millers have lifted 21,82,091 tonnes    ( 17.9 %) of paddy. Till November 5, PUNGRAIN had procured 25,60,609 tonnes (25.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 23,57,345 tonnes (23.6%). PUNSUP procured 25,31,007 tonnes (25.3%) , PSWC procured 13,24,865 tonnes (13.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 10,90,451 tonnes ( 10.9 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1,29,449 tonnes (1.3%). 

The spokesman added that Ludhiana District with 16,12,253 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas Sangrur District with 15,24,759 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and     Patiala district with a  12,71,113  tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The spokesman added that the Punjab Government has already made payment to the tune of Rs. 6838.35 Crore for paddy procured till 4th November. Rs.7433.18 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.

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