Punjab asks Centre to move old wheat stock to other states

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has asked the Centre to move old wheat stock to other states, besides seeking more rail rakes for crop movement during the Rabi marketing season of 2015-16. "The Punjab government has asked the Centre for movement of 68 lakh tonnes of wheat stocked in the state to other states and railway authorities have also been urged to provide more rakes," Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said in a statement issued here. He added that 1,814 centres have been set up for procurement of wheat during the current season. The Chairman further said that instructions have been issued to all Deputy Commissioners in the state to complete the procurement arrangement.

He added that all district officers have been asked to personally review the arrangement of lighting and drinking water facilities for wheat farmers. Though rains and hailstorms caused damage to wheat crop in this season, the state expects 125 lakh tonnes of wheat during rabi marketing season 2015-16.