CHANDIGARH: In consonance with its commitment to ensure smooth and hassle free procurement of paddy, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday held deliberations with Aarthiyas after which they decided to called off their stir.
The Chief Minister held meeting with a delegation of the Aarthiyas led by President Federation of Aarthiya Association of Punjab Vijay Kalra. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for considering genuine demands of the Aarthiyas sympathetically. However, he said that most of the demands of the Aarthiyas are concerned with the Union government, which is giving a cold shoulder towards it.
However, the Chief Minister said that his government will emerge as voice of the Aarthiyas and will vehemently flag their issues with centre. He said that the issue of enhancement of aarthiya fees will be taken up with the union government as it is bringing a whopping loss of Rs 192 crore to Aarthiyas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every effort will be made to get this loss of Aarthiyas compensated by January 2025.
The Chief Minister said that if centre will do any mischief then the state government will not hesitate to take this matter into the courts to secure justice for the aartiyhas. He also said that meetings will be held after every 50 days with Arthiyas to resolve their issues. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that he will also raise the issue with Union Government to release Rs. 50 crore of EPF of Arthiyas pending with the Union government.
The Chief Minister praised the role of Aarthiyas in the entire procurement process and said that they were an important pivot in entire process.
He said that Arthiyas are unpaid CA of farmers who have all the records of farmers including his yield and financial transactions as well. Bhagwant Singh Mann also recalled his personal experience with Arthiyas of his district Sangrur.
The Chief Minister also said that he will personally visit the Mandis to oversee the procurement operations in the state. He said that the state government is committed for ensure the procurement and lifting of the paddy in a smooth and hassle free manner. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause to benefit the farmers of the state.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is expected to procure 185 LMT paddy to be brought into mandis by farmers during the procurement Season. He said that 32 Lakh hectares of area was currently under paddy cultivation in the state adding that Punjab is targetting procurement of 185 Lakh Metric Tonnes of paddy. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that CCL to the tune of Rs. 41, 378 Crores for KMS 2024-25 has already been released by the RBI.
The Chief Minister said that the Government of India has fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 2320 per quintal for grade 'A' paddy this season. He said that the State procurement agencies, viz Pungrain, Markfed, Punsup, PSWC, along with FCI, will procure paddy on Minimum Support Price as per specification laid down by the Government of India. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that entire preparations for the smooth and hassle free procurement of the paddy has been made adding that the state government is committed for smooth and hassle free procurement and lifting of paddy.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the state government has already made elaborate arrangements for purchasing the harvest of farmers as soon as it arrives in the Mandis. He said that a viable mechanism has been evolved to ensure on the spot payment to the farmers in their bank accounts. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that smooth and hassle free procurement of grains is being ensured in the market so that farmers don’t face any sort of inconvenience.