Paddy procurement crosses 150 lakh metric tonnes, stubble burning cases also rise
Paddy procurement in Punjab mandis has crossed 150 lakh metric tonnes and Rs 33,000 crore has been released to farmers. On the other hand, total stubble burning cases in the state have crossed 3,100.
During the Kharif marketing season in Punjab, paddy arrivals have crossed 152 lakh metric tonnes and procurement has crossed 150 lakh metric tonnes. Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchakk stated that lifting of more than 110 lakh metric tonnes of paddy from mandis has been completed.
According to the Cabinet Minister, Rs 33,000 crore has so far been directly transferred to the bank accounts of farmers in lieu of the procured paddy. He stated that the lifting rate within the stipulated 72 hours after procurement has been 84.65 percent, so that farmers bringing new crop to the mandis do not face any kind of trouble.
Earlier, the government had reported the procurement of 101.96 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in mandis and payment of more than Rs 20,713 crore to farmers. A total target of procuring 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been set by the state government during this season.
On the other hand, due to harvesting being in full swing, cases of stubble burning in fields are also continuously increasing. With 357 new cases recorded on a single day on November 6, the total figure of fire incidents during this season has reached 3,144.
Out of a total of 6,226 stubble burning cases recorded in seven neighboring states, 50.5 percent incidents took place in Punjab alone. Among districts, Tarn Taran is at the forefront with 611 cases, while 410 cases have surfaced in Firozpur, 281 in Sangrur, 262 in Bathinda, and 231 in Amritsar.
To check stubble burning incidents, the administration has also intensified legal action. Under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for violating government orders, 710 FIRs have been registered so far, out of which the highest number of 294 cases are from Tarn Taran district alone.
Apart from this, environmental compensation of Rs 46.10 lakh has been imposed as fine in 914 cases, out of which Rs 24.85 lakh has been recovered. Red entries have been recorded at 829 places in land records and show-cause notices have been issued to 786 nodal and supervisory officers for showing negligence.
Key developments
- Paddy arrivals cross 152 lakh and procurement crosses 150 lakh metric tonnes
- Payment of Rs 33,000 crore completed in farmers' bank accounts
- Total stubble burning cases in the state increase to reach 3,144
- 710 FIRs registered against violators and 829 red entries marked
