Chandigarh: The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, today reviewed the progress of Paddy procurement in the state in the current season, which began on October 1, 2017, and will end on December 15, 2017. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that a detailed presentation was made to apprise the Council of Ministers about the progress of ongoing Paddy procurement. 

The cabinet expressed satisfaction over the procurement process. The cabinet meeting was informed that as of November 26, 2017, 174 lac MT Paddy had been procured by the five-state procurement agencies viz. PUNGRAIN, MARKFED, PUNSUP, PSWC, PAFC and FCI, selected for procurement on MSP as per specification laid down by Government of India. The Centre has fixed Rs.1550 for common variety and Rs.1590 for 'A' grade paddy per quintal as minimum support price during Kharif Marketing Season 2017-18. 

With the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releasing Cash Credit Limit amounting to Rs.33800.22 crore for procurement, the state government had paid Rs.27,409 crores to farmers and artiyas till November 26, 2017, by the state agencies, the cabinet was further informed. The Agriculture Department, Punjab has informed that 154 lac MT Paddy would arrive in the state mandis during KMS 2017-18 and the state government had made elaborate arrangements for procuring 182 lac MT paddy. 

During previous KMS 2016-17, a total of 168.88 lac MT paddy was procured, out of which 164.88 lac MT paddy was procured by Government agencies, while traders/millers had procured 1.04 lac MT paddy. During current KMS 2017-18 state agencies have been given the target to procure 172.90 lac MT and FCI will procure 9.10 lac MT paddy. State agencies require 9.22 lac gunny bales for packaging of paddy. As per Government of India Policy/guidelines, arrangements for 50% of the gunny bales have been made by State procuring Agencies while rice millers have arranged for the remaining 50%.