CM Mann Seeks Intervention of Union Minister Prahlad Joshi for Expediting Movement of Grains From State
Seeks Immediate Release of RDF for State
Says It Is Imperative for Smooth and Hassle-Free Procurement of Food Grains in Coming Times
Flags Issue of Reduction in Arthia Commission for Wheat Procurement at Silos
Raises the Issue of Restriction Limit on Arthia Commission
New Delhi, March 26 – Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday sought the kind intervention of Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi to expedite the movement of food grains (rice and wheat) from the state to ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement and storage of grains in the coming times.
The Chief Minister, who called upon Joshi at his residence, apprised him that during the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025-26, set to begin on April 1, the state is expected to procure 124 LMT of wheat. He said that around five LMT of wheat from the previous crop season is also stocked in the state, leading to a need for storage arrangements for about 129 LMT of wheat. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to an acute storage space crunch, most of the covered space available with the agencies is being diverted for the storage of rice.
The Chief Minister said that based on the availability of storage space, the state would require at least 25 LMT of wheat to be moved using direct delivery special trains to cope with the shortfall. He requested the Union Minister to intervene so that the wheat stock can be moved out on priority through these trains. Additionally, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to the shortage of space for rice, only 45% of the rice due has so far been accepted by FCI.
He said that as of today, the space available with FCI is 7.50 LMT, while a total of 71.50 LMT of rice is yet to be delivered. Therefore, Bhagwant Mann urged that the maximum movement of rice from the state be allowed by FCI to ensure the timely completion of rice milling for KMS 2024-25.
Raising the issue of the reduction in Arthia Commission for wheat procurement at silos, the Chief Minister said that the matter regarding the payment of Arthia Commission at par with other mandis was discussed in various meetings with DFPD, GOI. It was conveyed that if the commission to arthias for purchases at silos is paid at par with purchases at regular mandis, there would be a net saving on account of mandi labor and transportation charges. He requested that Arthia Commission in silos be allowed at par with normal purchases to facilitate direct purchases at silos. Bhagwant Singh Mann apprised the Union Minister that the arthias perform the same operations in silos as in mandi operations.
Flagging the issue of the restriction limit on Arthia Commission in the provisional cost sheet, the Chief Minister said that the Arthia Commission was restricted to ₹46.00/qtl for wheat in the PCS of RMS 2020-21 and ₹45.88/qtl for paddy in the PCS of KMS 2019-20. Since then, the same rate has been frozen and applied for paddy and wheat procurement in every cost sheet by the Government of India. He highlighted that under the Punjab Agriculture Produce Marketing Act, 1961, and the rules framed thereunder, the arthia commission is fixed at 2.5% on MSP (₹2425/- for RMS 2025-26), which comes out to ₹60.63/qtl in the upcoming Rabi season. However, the Government of India has not finalized the rate for reimbursement yet.
Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the restriction on Arthia Commission by the Government of India led to agitation by the arthias during the previous Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25, leading to a strike that affected procurement operations. He warned that if this issue is not addressed, arthias may go on strike again, impacting the wheat procurement during RMS 2025-26.
Additionally, the Chief Minister urged the central government to immediately release the state’s pending share of RDF. He said that the Punjab government has already completed the necessary formalities, and it is now essential for the centre to release these funds. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized that states are not beggars and deserve their legitimate share of funds without unnecessary harassment from the centre.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister assured Bhagwant Singh Mann that the Union government would sympathetically look into the state government’s demands.