Punjab government assures seamless paddy procurement
Chandigarh, September 12: The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has assured farmers that every single grain of paddy arriving in the state’s mandis will be procured without delay. Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat made the announcement while reviewing arrangements for the upcoming Kharif procurement season, which begins on September 16, 2025.
Barsat, accompanied by Mandi Board Secretary Ramvir, chaired a high-level meeting with District Mandi Officers to assess readiness. He directed officials to ensure that all 1,822 mandis and procurement centres are fully prepared to handle the incoming crop. The chairman stressed that the aim is to provide a smooth experience for farmers, commission agents, labourers, and traders.
Facilities to ensure farmer comfort
To guarantee efficiency, Barsat instructed officers to focus on comprehensive arrangements across procurement centres. These include proper cleanliness, uninterrupted power supply, clean drinking water, restroom facilities, and shaded seating areas.
Special emphasis was placed on the welfare of labourers engaged in handling paddy stocks. The chairman ordered the creation of shaded rest zones and adequate seating so that workers can perform their duties comfortably. District officers and head office teams have also been tasked with ground-level inspections and continuous monitoring to resolve issues promptly.
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has already directed that the procurement process be farmer-friendly, transparent, and free from bottlenecks. Barsat echoed these instructions, adding that the state is committed to building a supportive environment for farmers so they can sell their produce without unnecessary delays.
Monitoring and accountability stressed
Highlighting accountability, Barsat asked District Mandi Officers to remain present in procurement centres and personally supervise operations. Continuous oversight, he said, will ensure that challenges such as stock piling, payment delays, or logistic hurdles are addressed in real-time.
He added that the Punjab Mandi Board will maintain strict coordination with agencies involved in procurement and storage to guarantee that farmers are paid on time. The board has also directed its officials to provide immediate redressal of complaints raised by farmers or traders.
This year, procurement is expected to be on a large scale, and the government has assured that both infrastructure and manpower are fully in place.
Mandi Board launches cricket team jersey
In a lighter moment during the day, Barsat also unveiled the jersey of the Punjab Mandi Board’s cricket team ahead of the second annual Employees Cricket League. The tournament is being hosted by the Punjab Civil Secretariat Club.
The Mandi Board team had earlier emerged as runner-up in the All India State Agricultural Marketing Boards T-20 Cricket Tournament. On the occasion, the team presented their trophy to Chairman Barsat and Secretary Ramvir, who encouraged them to aim for the top spot this year.