Chandigarh, Oct 25: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday said the Punjab government has ensured a smooth and transparent paddy procurement process this season, promising that “not a single grain” of farmers’ produce will remain unsold.
The Chief Minister said procurement agencies have been fully mobilized across thousands of centers and have been instructed to keep buying operations continuous. “Our farmers feed the nation, and they deserve full value for their effort. We will buy every farmer’s crop — whether one bag or hundreds,” Mann stated.
According to officials, this year’s procurement has been marked by fast purchases and prompt payments, with money credited to farmers’ bank accounts within 48 hours. The state has strengthened its digital payment system to remove delays and ensure transparency.
Each center has been provided with adequate staff and infrastructure, including facilities for drinking water, shade, and seating. Daily inspections by senior officers are being conducted, and control rooms at district level have been set up to address complaints quickly.
The introduction of a token-based arrival system has reduced waiting time at mandis, with farmers selling crops according to scheduled slots. Through a dedicated online portal, cultivators can now check their turn, register, and view payment details from their mobile phones.
Farmers have welcomed the new arrangements. “My crop was sold in two days and the money came in three. This never happened before,” said Balwinder Singh, a farmer from Sangrur. Harpal Singh from Ludhiana echoed the sentiment, saying procurement was “completely hassle-free” this season.
Officials said the government has given special attention to small and marginal farmers, ensuring equal access and support. Experts noted that the reforms, if sustained, could help reduce the stress and uncertainty that often accompany procurement seasons in Punjab.
Mann added that his government’s goal is not only to provide relief to cultivators but also to “build a fair, efficient, and modern procurement system” that strengthens Punjab’s agrarian backbone.
