Around 400 mandis closed in Punjab due to paddy procurement limit
To stay within the 180 lakh tonne procurement limit set by the central government, the Food and Civil Supplies Department has ordered the closure of nearly 400 mandis across six districts.
The Punjab Mandi Board, acting on the instructions of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, has closed around 400 paddy procurement mandis in six districts of the state. This decision has been implemented in Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, and partially in Jalandhar district.
This step has been taken to maintain the total paddy arrival limit of 180 lakh tonnes fixed by the Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution. According to department officials, paddy yield is estimated to be 7 to 10 percent higher this season, which could take the total arrival up to 190 lakh tonnes.
During the procurement that started from October 1, 130 lakh tonnes of paddy has arrived in the state mandis so far, out of which 98.5 lakh tonnes has been lifted. The government is purchasing paddy at the Minimum Support Price of 2,461 rupees per quintal.
A total of 1,872 mandis and 761 temporary procurement centres have been set up in the state for paddy procurement, and procurement is expected to continue till mid-November. The department has received a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of 42,787 crore rupees for procurement, which is approved only for 180 lakh tonnes of grain.
Officials say that if procurement exceeds the stipulated quota, new approval and additional funds will have to be sought from the central government. In view of higher yield and continued arrival in other districts, the Food Department has already sent a letter to the Union Ministry.
According to the Agriculture Department's estimate, the total production of non-basmati paddy is likely to exceed 220 lakh tonnes this season. The Punjab government is exercising caution regarding extra procurement after the Centre refused to accept excess procured paddy from Haryana last year.
Key developments
- Around 400 mandis in six districts closed due to Centre's 180 lakh tonne procurement limit.
- 130 lakh tonnes of paddy arrived in the state so far, of which 98.5 lakh tonnes lifted.
- Total arrival likely to reach 190 lakh tonnes due to higher yield.
- Government sends letter to Union Ministry for additional procurement and funds.
