Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the state will begin paddy procurement from September 15, two weeks earlier than usual. This decision aims to prevent crop damage caused by high moisture levels, which often rise in October due to colder nights and mornings.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of a public library in Dhuri. Earlier, paddy procurement used to start on October 1 every year. However, the government had already allowed farmers to start transplanting paddy from June 1 instead of June 15 this year. As a result, the crop will be ready for sale earlier.
Mann said this move would help farmers avoid harassment during procurement. He also mentioned that blackmailing of farmers used to begin in grain markets when moisture levels were high.
The Chief Minister added that he had recently met Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi and requested an increase in the commission for arhtiyas (commission agents). The Union Minister assured him of support. Mann said the state government is ready to take a delegation of arhtiyas to Delhi if needed.
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