Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak reviews wheat procurement at Asia’s Largest grain market

Newspunjab

22 April 2025

Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Tuesday reviewed ongoing wheat procurement at Asia’s largest grain market here.

Assessing the procurement process, the Minister stated that Punjab’s grain markets have so far received 49 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, of which 44.50 lakh metric tonnes have been procured, with Rs 5,573 crore already credited to farmers’ accounts.

Kataruchak highlighted a bumper wheat crop this season, with Punjab is expected to contribute 124 lakh metric tonnes to the central pool. To ensure smooth procurement, 1,864 purchase centers have been established across Punjab. Around Eight lakh farmers would bring their produce to markets this season, with 1.5 lakh already having done so far. The state government has allocated an additional Rs 10,000 crore for labourers, with revised rates for their labour.

The Minister also assured that the Punjab government will compensate farmers for all crop losses. He noted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed Deputy Commissioners to investigate recent crop damage due to storms, short circuits, and hailstorms.

Kataruchak emphasized that farmers will face no issues in markets as he is personally inspecting procurement operations to ensure efficiency. Strict instructions have been issued to officials to prevent any lapses and ensure no farmer or commission agent faces difficulties. He also directed officials to expedite wheat lifting from grain markets.

During the visit, Kataruchak also interacted with labourers at Khanna’s grain market and lauded them for their hard work. He thanked them for their role in procurement. The minister highlighted that the Punjab government has increased labourers’ wages twice in a single year—first from Rs 1.80 to Rs 2.21 per sack, and then, considering inflation and commission agents’ demands, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann approved an additional 43 paise, raising the rate to Rs 2.64 per unit.

Present at the event included SDM Dr. Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Market Committee Chairman Jagtar Singh Ratanheri, District Food Supply Controller Shefali Chopra, District Mandi Officer Ramandeep Singh, Secretary Market Committee Khanna Kamaldeep Singh Mann, President of Khanna Arhtiya Association Harbans Singh Rosha, along with senior officials from various departments and others.

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