By IANS,
Chandigarh : Farmers in agrarian state Punjab are richer by over Rs.16,028 crore with a bumper paddy crop this season, a state government spokesman said here Sunday.
He said that nearly 133.35 lakh tonnes of paddy has been procured so far across Punjab. The procurement process began Oct 1 and bulk of the procurement was done by the beginning of December.
“The state government had mobilized government machinery to ensure hassle free procurement and make payment of produce to the farmers within 48 hours of lifting of their produce from the mandis,” said the spokesman.
In Sangrur district, Rs.1,968.28 crore have been deposited in the accounts of farmers till date, he said. In Ludhiana and Patiala districts, payments of Rs.1,930.37 crore and Rs.1,547.19 crore have been deposited in the farmers’ accounts, he said.
Out of the total over 133.35 lakh tonnes, government agencies have procured over 127.18 lakh tonnes. The rest has been procured by private traders and millers.
Punjab alone contributes over 60 percent of food grains wheat and paddy to the national kitty.