Minister Kataruchak takes stock of paddy procurement, lifting and payments in Ferozepur
Ferozepur, October 7, 2026: Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Wednesday visited the Ferozepur city grain market to review arrangements for the smooth procurement, lifting and timely payment of paddy. Ferozepur Urban MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar was also present during the visit.
Interacting with farmers, commission agents and labourers at the grain market, Kataruchak said the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was committed to ensuring smooth procurement, timely lifting and prompt payment to farmers during the ongoing paddy procurement season.
He said farmers were able to sell their produce without difficulty and return home on time. After procurement, payments were being transferred directly into farmers’ bank accounts, he added.
The minister said around 8.50 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in mandis across Punjab so far, out of which 7.50 lakh metric tonnes had been procured. At the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,461 per quintal, payments amounting to ₹1,221 crore had already been transferred to farmers’ accounts, he said.
Kataruchak said adequate arrangements had been made at the mandis to ensure that farmers face no inconvenience. He directed officials of the procurement agencies to ensure that there was no negligence or unnecessary delay in the procurement process.
He said the Punjab Government was committed to procuring every single grain of paddy brought by farmers to the mandis. He appealed to farmers to bring dry paddy to facilitate its immediate procurement by the agencies.
The minister also urged farmers not to burn paddy straw and instead make use of machinery being provided on subsidy by the Punjab Government to make straw bales or incorporate the residue into the soil. He said this would help protect the environment, maintain soil fertility and prevent harmful effects on human and animal health.
During his visit, Kataruchak interacted with farmers, commission agents and labourers to get direct feedback about the procurement arrangements. They expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and said they were not facing any difficulty in selling or purchasing the crop. Farmers also said payments for their procured produce were being credited to their bank accounts without delay.
SDM Ferozepur Abhishek Sharma, DFSC Vandana Kamboj, Market Committee Ferozepur City Chairman Harmeet Singh Khai, Arhtiya Association president Tilak Raj, besides AAP leaders and workers, were also present on the occasion.