CHANDIGARH: Paddy Procurement by Government Agencies in Punjab exceeded 101 lakh tonne mark on Wednesday as total procurement by them and private millers exceeded 123 lac tonnes mark.

Out of total procurement of 123,27,549 tonnes of Paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 101,08,017 tonnes of paddy (82.%) till date whereas millers have lifted 22,19,532 tonnes    (18 %) of paddy. Till November 7, PUNGRAIN had procured 25,90,103 tonnes ( 25.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 23,85,333 tonnes (23.6%). PUNSUP procured 25,63,365 tonnes (25.4%) , PSWC procured 13,36,099 tonnes (13.2%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 11,02,443 tonnes (10.9 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1,30,674 tonnes (1.3%). 

The spokesman added that Ludhiana District with 16,34,138 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas Sangrur District with 15,53,196 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and     Patiala district with a  12,83,035  tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The spokesman added that the Punjab Government has already made payment to the tune of Rs. 7096.75 Crore for paddy procured till 6th November. Rs.7694.67 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 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. 9058.50 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.