Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab expects record wheat arrival of 125 lakh metric tonnes: Minister Kataruchak
Babushahi Bureau
Rupnagar (Punjab), April 18, 2025: Punjab is set to witness a bumper wheat harvest this season, with an estimated 125 lakh metric tonnes expected to arrive in the state's mandis.
This was stated by Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak during his visit to the grain market in Rupnagar on Friday to review ongoing wheat procurement operations.
So far, 13.16 lakh metric tonnes of wheat have arrived in markets across the state, with approximately 11 lakh metric tonnes already procured. Payments totaling ₹703 crore have been credited directly to farmers’ accounts, the minister said.
Minister Kataruchak emphasized that, in line with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s directives, procurement payments are being processed within 24 hours and the lifting of stock is progressing smoothly.
"There have been no issues reported so far during market inspections," he noted.
He also assured that adequate arrangements—such as tarpaulins, crates, and an ample supply of gunny bags—have been made to protect wheat from weather-related damage, adding that grain quality is expected to remain high if weather conditions continue to be favorable.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he stated, “No farmer will face any difficulty in the markets. All officials have been directed to ensure seamless procurement without any negligence.”
While interacting with the labor community, Kataruchak praised their hard work, referring to them as the “real gods on earth.”
Acknowledging their critical role in crop handling, he shared that the Punjab government has doubled their wages in the past year—from ₹1.80 to ₹2.21, and more recently to ₹2.64 per unit, following another hike of ₹0.43.
“This wage increase will benefit the labor community by around ₹10 crore,” he said.
The state government has made arrangements to procure up to 130 lakh metric tonnes of wheat this season, ensuring that every grain brought to market is purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
The Minister was accompanied by Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Kumar Chadha, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia, SSP Gulneet Singh Khurana, Market Committee Chairman Bhag Singh Madan, District Food Supply Officer Dr. Kimmy Vaneet Kaur Sethi, Improvement Trust Chairman Shiv Kumar Lalpura, and other senior officials.