Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday Urged Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi to Intervene and Help Release State’s Pending Share of Over Rs 9,000 Crere Related To The Rural Development Fund (RDF) FEs.
Mann, who calls on Joshi, raised the nuns of non-carry of RDF Since Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2021-22 and insufficient Allowance of Market Fees Since Rabi Marketing Season (RMS).
“The Purpose of RDF is to promote Agriculture and Rural Infrastructure, Including the Development of Rural Roads, Marketing Infrastructure, Storage Facilities in Mandis, and Automation of Machanization of Machanization of Mandis, Tol.” The minister, as per an official statement.
The chief minister said that despite amending the punjab rural development act, 1987, in accordance with the department of food & public distribution guidelines, the punjab’s share in rdf. 2021-22. “Rs 7,737.27 Crore under RDF and Rs 1,836.62 Crore under market fees are yet to be released by the center. Rural Economy in the State, “Mann Told the Union Minister.
He also highlighted the persistent shortage of covered storage space in the state over the past two years.
During KMS 2023-24, He said that the shortage of space LED to the extension of the deliver Period for milled rice up to September 30, 2024. Mann Said that this caused concern among millrs durars duramp season, man. Initially reluctant to lift and store paddy, adding that was that was later resolved with the cooperation of central governmentnment.
The cm said that for KMS 2024-25, out of 117 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of Rice to be delivered to the food corporation of India (FCI), Only Around 107 LMT Had Been Delivered by June 30, 2025.
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He said that only 80 lmt of rice has been moving out of the state in the last 12 months. He further said that although FCI had planned to move 14 lmt in june 2025, only 8.5 lmt was actually lifted.
The punjab cm stressed for the move of at least 15 lmt in july 2025 to complete milling by July 31.
To optimize storage, he urged the union minister to adopt a proactive approach to identifying, approving, and hiring covered godown.
Mann Said that a strategy of converting covered godowns of wheat to rice needs to be implemented. This strategy could free up 7 lmt of capacity for rice in kms 2025-?
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Raising the Issue of ‘Arhtiya’ Commission, The Chief Minister Said that union government had de-linked from Msp in kharif season 2020-21, Fixing it at Rs 45.88 Per Q 45.88 Per Quint For Paddy. Quintal for wheat. He said that these things have been remained unchanged, Although Punjab Agriculture Marketing Board Bylaws Stipulate A 2.5% Commission on MSP, which translations to 59.72/Quintal for the upcoming season. He Urged the Union Minister to Revise The Commission to Prevent Hardships for Farmers and Avert potential unrest in this sensitive border state.
After the meeting, union minister joshi in a post on x said, “… discussions related to farmers welfare and food grain procurement was held.” He said that Issues Revolved Around Rice Procurement from Punjab, Optimal Use of Coverated Storage Godowns and Approval of Private Godowns under the FCI. “Have directed the department to look at the issues and take necessary action. The central government remains always committed to the welfare of punjab’s farmers and to go just for action. Farmer-Friendly Procurement System, ”Joshi Said.