Paddy arrival picking up in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Over 19.57 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of paddy has been procured so far out of a total of 20.39 lakh MTs in 1,548 'mandis' and purchase centers, a senior official said.

Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal today said that government agencies procured only 4.91 lakh MT, three per cent more than of the last year corresponding periods and the remaining 14.67 lakh MT by the millers/traders.

He expressed concern over the delay in the announcements of bonus on paddy and also alleged failure of the government in announcing the hike in Paddy Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Lakhowal said that if Centre failed to announce bonus and hike in paddy MSP, government agencies would not be able to achieve their targets and the millers and traders would export the rice causing considerable shortage in the domestic market.

He appealed to the Centre to immediately release 'paddy bonus' of Rs 50 per quintal and also hike in its MSP to Rs 916 per quintal.