Punjab CM urges PM to immediately withdraw letter on paddy procurement delay

Punjab paddy procurement operations: Taking prompt cognizance of the letter of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, GoI, regarding postponement of paddy procurement for KMS 2021-22 for the State of Punjab, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday sought the personal intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to advise the Ministry to withdraw its letter. It sought PM Narendra Modi's intervention to withdraw its letter and allow Punjab to start Paddy procurement operations from October 1 instead of October 11. Also Read | Delhi govt extends validity of vehicle documents expiring on Sept 30 Notably, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, GoI, in response to the letter of FCI dated September 30, 2021, informed that due to recent heavy downpour in the States of Punjab and Haryana, the maturity of paddy has been delayed and the moisture content in the fresh arrival at present is beyond permissible limit. Also Read | Punjab CM asks ministers to give appointment letters to kin of farmers who died during farmers’ protest Pointing out further, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said that the state is all set to start procurement of Paddy from October 1 as scheduled earlier and now these instructions would unnecessarily create confusion and uncertainty in the minds of farmers, who will start bringing their crops in various Mandis across the state from October 1. Channi also informed the Prime Minister that the Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu has already reviewed the arrangements for the Paddy procurement starting from October 1. He also mentioned that he had personally reviewed the preparedness for Paddy procurement yesterday to ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement in the state and was fully satisfied with the elaborate arrangements made in this regard. He said the decision to postpone the Paddy procurement at the eleventh hour would further lead to resentment amongst the farmers, who were already on agitation against the farm laws. -PTC News