Punjab procures 20 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, transfers Rs 3,111 crore to farmers
Babushahi Bureau
Sri Muktsar Sahib (Punjab), October 11, 2026: Punjab has procured around 20 lakh metric tonnes of paddy out of the nearly 21 lakh metric tonnes that have arrived in mandis across the state so far this season, with ₹3,111 crore paid to farmers, Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said on Sunday.
The Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs made the statement during a visit to the grain market in Sri Muktsar Sahib, where he reviewed procurement arrangements and interacted with farmers to learn about the purchase process, payments and problems faced by them.
Punjab has been given a target of procuring 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy during the current season, Kataruchak said, adding that the state government was committed to ensuring the purchase of farmers’ produce and resolving issues at mandis.
He said the government had made arrangements for the smooth procurement of wheat and paddy over the past nine procurement seasons under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership. According to the minister, measures had been taken to address problems previously faced by farmers, including shortages of gunny bags, delays in procurement and pending payments.
Responding to concerns about rain during the previous night and the possibility of paddy getting wet in the mandis, Kataruchak said the weather was beyond human control. He added that the government would take necessary steps to prevent avoidable delays in procurement and minimise inconvenience to farmers.
Sri Muktsar Sahib MLA Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar, Gurkirandeep Singh Sidhu, officials and other leaders were also present during the visit.