The Centre has agreed to lift 18 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of old grain stock lying in Punjab mandis by the 20th of next month to clear storage space for the state’s expected bumper paddy crop.
Akashvani correspondent reports that Punjab is expected to supply 170 Lakh Metric Tonnes of good-quality rice in the central pool this year.
Making this claim in an official statement, Mann said this will come as a major relief ahead of the paddy procurement season.
Mann said this after he raised the issue with Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar during his meeting with them.
He said the Punjab government has stepped up preparations to ensure seamless procurement and timely payment to farmers, asserting that no farmer will face difficulty in selling the produce.
With Punjab expected to supply 170 lakh metric tonnes of good-quality rice this year, the chief minister said securing adequate storage and procurement arrangements was vital not only for Punjab’s farmers but also for the country’s food security.
Calling for an urgent need to create space for delivery of balance rice of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26, the CM said, “During my meeting with Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi, I sought immediate movement of 18 lakh metric tonnes of rice from Punjab. It is imperative that all balance rice of Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26 can be delivered in the Central Pool.”
“Despite persistent paucity of space with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), our State Procurement Agencies (SPAs) have successfully delivered 86 lakh metric tonnes of rice to FCI till date,” he said, according to the statement.