121 lakh tonnes wheat procured in Punjab

At least 122.02 lakh tonnes of wheat has arrived in agricultural Mandis in Punjab. Of this, 121.85 lakh tonnes has been purchased in a months time despite staggered movement of wheat amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Chandigarh: Ninty-two per cent of the expected arrival of 135 lakh tonnes of wheat has been procured in Punjab, said Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Viswajeet Khanna on Saturday.

He said 122.02 lakh tonnes had arrived in Mandis. Of this, 121.85 lakh tonnes had been purchased in a month despite staggered movement of wheat amid the coronavirus pandemic, he added.

More than 95 per cent wheat had been procured in 15 of the 22 Punjab districts, including Pathankot (105 per cent), Jalandhar (102 per cent), Faridkot, Ludhiana and Barnala (99 per cent each), Sangrur (97 per cent), Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar (96 per cent each) and Ferozepur (95 per cent).

The state government has decided to continue procurement until May 30. If needed, it could be extended till June 15 in view of the staggered movement of wheat due to Covid-19 restrictions, he said.

Expressing satisfaction over the completion of 92 per cent of purchases, Khanna said the expected procurement target of 135 lakh tonnes would be accomplished shortly.

Punjab, which contributes 30-35 per cent wheat to the national kitty, is expecting 185 lakh tonnes harvest. The market arrival was likely to be 135 lakh tonnes, worth Rs 26,000 crore, officials said.

The minimum support price (MSP) of wheat is Rs 1,925 per quintal.

(PTI)