Chandigarh, Aug 21 — The Punjab Government has approved a 10 per cent hike in mandi labour rates for the upcoming paddy procurement season. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Punjab Mandi Board chaired by its chairman, Harchand Singh Barsat.
With this, the labour rate has been raised from ₹17.50 to ₹19.26 per 37.5 kg bag of paddy, an increase of ₹1.76 per bag.
Barsat said the hike was in response to persistent demands from labour unions. “The revised rates will provide much-needed relief to labourers and their families, while also promoting fair labour practices. These workers form the backbone of the agricultural supply chain,” he noted.
The increase will directly benefit thousands of mandi workers employed during the busy procurement season, which begins in October and runs through November. Officials said the move was aimed at ensuring smooth procurement operations and addressing the concerns of labourers, who have been seeking a revision for several years.
