MP says personally pursuing transportation of surplus foodgrains to create additional storage space
Phagwara, October 5: Member Parliament Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal and Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal on Monday held a detailed meeting with arhtiyas and rice millers at the market committee office to review issues being faced by them during the ongoing paddy procurement season.
The MP and Deputy Commissioner assured the stakeholders of comprehensive support from the Punjab government and district administration for the prompt resolution of their genuine concerns.
Leading the discussions, Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal said that the Punjab government was fully cognizant of the issues being faced by arhtiyas and rice millers during the procurement season. He said that senior officials of the state government were already in regular dialogue with the concerned stakeholders and were working towards resolving the issues at the earliest so that procurement and lifting operations could continue smoothly.
Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal also said that he was personally pursuing the matter with the state government/others regarding the movement of previous years’ stock of foodgrains to other destinations, which would help create additional storage capacity in the state. He said that adequate storage space was essential for ensuring uninterrupted procurement and timely lifting of paddy from the grain markets.
The MP further said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had also taken up the issue with the Union Government and was making efforts to ensure that the previous years’ stocks were moved expeditiously. He assured arhtiyas and rice millers that every possible effort would be made for their early resolution.
Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal said that strict instructions had already been issued to all concerned officials to remain vigilant and ensure that there was no laxity in the procurement process. He directed the officials to maintain close coordination with arhtiyas, millers, procurement agencies and others so that any issue arising during procurement and lifting could be resolved promptly. He also directed the police department to ensure regular PCR patrolling in and around the grain markets to maintain proper law and order and facilitate smooth movement of vehicles involved in procurement and lifting operations. He said that the primary objective of the meeting was to ensure that farmers, arhtiyas, rice millers and other stakeholders do not face any inconvenience during the procurement and lifting process.
