On-Site Inspection of Major Malwa Grain Markets
Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak conducted extensive field inspections across major grain markets in Jagraon, Moga, and Ferozepur to assess operational readiness for ongoing crop purchases. The Minister inspected mandis directly, interacting with local farmers, commission agents (arhtiyas), rice millers, and labor union representatives to evaluate arrival facilities.
During the inspections, Minister Kataruchak affirmed that crop procurement across Punjab mandis is progressing smoothly and efficiently. The state administration has established rigorous oversight protocols to ensure that every grain brought to the markets by local farmers is purchased without unnecessary delay.
Core Procurement Allocations and Financial Metrics
The state government has set a target to procure 180 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy during the Kharif procurement season. Total land area under paddy cultivation across Punjab reached 26.22 lakh hectares. The Central Government fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for common grade paddy at ₹2,441 per quintal for the season.
To support smooth operations, state procurement agencies secured 4.20 lakh gunny bags (bardana) against the total estimated requirement of 5.09 lakh bales, fulfilling over 82 percent of total packing requirements prior to peak arrivals. In addition, over 3,600 private rice mills were registered and allotted to manage milling allocations.
| Serial No. | Procurement Operational Parameter | Official Season Target & Benchmark |
| 1 | Total Expected Paddy Arrival Target | 180 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) |
| 2 | Total Cultivated Area Under Paddy | 26.22 Lakh Hectares |
| 3 | Minimum Support Price (MSP) | ₹2,441 Per Quintal |
| 4 | Initial Gunny Bag (Bardana) Availability | 4.20 Lakh Bales (82% of Total Requirement) |
| 5 | Registered Rice Mills Allotted | 3,600+ Operational Units |
| 6 | Direct Bank Transfer Disbursed | Over ₹1,221 Crore Paid to Farmers |
Strict Strictures Against Outer-State Grain Influx
During his visit to border district hubs and major Malwa mandis, Minister Kataruchak instructed District Food and Civil Supplies Controllers (DFSCs) to prevent paddy from outside states from entering Punjab markets. The Ministry issued strict warnings against bogus reporting and recycling of cheap grain from neighboring regions.
Special check posts manned by police personnel and food department officials were deployed along inter-state borders. The Minister reiterated that state resources and procurement benefits belong strictly to genuine Punjab farmers.
| Serial No. | Quality Assurance & Enforcement Protocol | Mandated Administrative Guideline |
| 1 | Maximum Permissible Moisture Standard | 17% Upper Moisture Threshold |
| 2 | Inter-State Border Vigilance | Strict Check-Posts to Prevent Out-of-State Influx |
| 3 | Direct Farmer Payment Mandate | Payment credited to bank accounts within set hours |
| 4 | Lifting & Storage Readiness | Coordinated lifting via FCI and state agencies |
Mandi-Wise Progress and District Level Oversight
Detailed reports from Moga district indicated that out of 2,736 metric tonnes of paddy arriving at local grain markets during early harvesting days, over 2,048 metric tonnes were purchased on the spot. Similar swift purchasing trends were recorded across Jagraon in Ludhiana district and frontline purchasing yards in Ferozepur.
The Minister directed deputy commissioners and district administrative heads to maintain continuous coordination with mandi boards. Clean drinking water, proper lighting, covered shed facilities, and tarpaulins were arranged to protect crops from unexpected weather changes.
| Serial No. | District Mandi Hub | Recorded Early Procurement Status |
| 1 | Moga Main Grain Market | 2,048 MT Purchased out of 2,736 MT Total Arrival |
| 2 | Jagraon Sub-Division Mandi | Over 7.50 Lakh MT Total Regional Target Setup |
| 3 | Ferozepur Border Mandis | Full Deployment of Check Posts & Direct Lifting Teams |
| 4 | Batala & Tarn Taran Hubs | Official Procurement Operations Functional Statewide |
Logistics Support and Moisture Regulation Guidelines
To ensure smooth processing at procurement centers, the Food and Civil Supplies Department issued advisories asking farmers to dry their produce before bringing it to market yards. Grains with moisture levels within the prescribed 17 percent limit are purchased immediately upon arrival by government agencies, including Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup, and the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation.
Arrangements for cash credit limits (CCL) were finalized in advance to prevent liquidity shortages. State authorities confirmed that over ₹1,221 crore has already been transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts across early procurement districts.
| Serial No. | Administrative Service Parameter | Facility Delivered at Purchasing Yards |
| 1 | Liquidity & Cash Credit | CCL Approved to Ensure Timely Payments |
| 2 | Storage & Transport Logistics | Fast Lifting via Heavy Vehicle Transport Contracts |
| 3 | Farmer Welfare Amenities | Clean Drinking Water, Rest Sheds & Sanitation |
| 4 | Grievance Redressal Mechanism | On-Site Help Desks & DFSC Supervision Teams |
Long-Term Agricultural Sustainability and Governance Commitments
Minister Kataruchak reiterated that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, views agricultural welfare as a top administrative priority. By ensuring transparent weighing, immediate payment credits, and prompt lifting of bagged crops, the administration aims to make this procurement season smooth for all stakeholders.
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The Ministry remains in close communication with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to clear storage space in state godowns, ensuring uninterrupted movement of milled rice to consumer states. Periodic inspections will continue across all districts throughout the harvesting season.
| Serial No. | Strategic Governance Objective | Target Policy Outcome |
| 1 | Timely Crop Lifting | Prevent Mandi Congestion via 48-Hour Lifting Norms |
| 2 | FCI Storage Movement | Expedite Movement of Stored Grain to Federal Outlets |
| 3 | Arhtiya & Labor Welfare | Prompt Payment of Commission Fees and Labor Charges |
| 4 | Sustainable Rice Milling | Ensure Immediate Allotment to Registered Rice Mills |