The state government plans to approach the Union Ministry to increase the procurement quota to 200 LMT following a bumper harvest.
Punjab has recorded paddy arrivals of 185.23 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) as of November 14, according to The Times of India. Government agencies and private traders have procured over 181 LMT, surpassing the state's original procurement target of 180 LMT by 1.3 LMT.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that agriculture officials indicated arrivals could reach the 200-LMT mark this season. The state government intends to approach the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to request an additional Cash Credit Limit (CCL) and an increased procurement quota.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Friday that the state witnessed a bumper crop and confirmed the government would procure the entire produce. He attributed improved productivity partly to adequate canal water availability, which helped reduce dependence on groundwater.
The state had originally received a CCL of Rs 42,786.68 crore for the procurement of 180 LMT. Of the 181.3 LMT procured so far, 146.6 LMT has been lifted, while approximately 34.62 LMT of procured paddy is awaiting lifting.
In terms of district-wise procurement, Sangrur recorded the highest at 14.5 LMT, followed by Patiala with over 14 LMT and Bathinda with 12.8 LMT. Pathankot recorded the lowest procurement at around 1.1 LMT.
