CHANDIGARH, Oct 13: The total arrival of paddy in the markets in Punjab is likely to be about 9.8 million metric tonnes as against the earlier projection of 11.5 million metric tonnes.Denying distress sale of paddy by the farmers, Secretary Food and Supplies P Ram said 41.42 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been purchased till Monday in more than 1,500 mandis in the state as compared to 39.84 lakh metric tonnes on the same day last year. He said it was the rain damaged paddy which was selling below the procurement price. The problem was more acute in the areas where the millers were not coming forward to make the purchases. The price range has been Rs 300 to Rs 600 per quintal.He said directions had been issued to the field officers to make sure that the millers buy the damaged paddy at competitive rate and there should be no distress sale. The millers strike earlier led to some difficulty in the storage of paddy by the procurement agencies.He said the procurement operations were almost over inJalandhar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Amritsar districts. However, the mandis would be closed only after getting the approval from the deputy commission concerned.He said about 20 to 25 per cent of the paddy had been damaged and all of this stock is from the early maturing varieties. The procurement season was preponed this year with effect from September 15 due to sowing of early maturing varieties especially in Ferozepur and Amritsar districts.The procurement agencies have purchased more than 55 per cent of the market arrivals so far against the allocated share of 60 per cent. The target is likely to be achieved within the next one week.He disclosed the Centre had been requested to conduct fresh experiments to determine the actual yield of rice per quintal of paddy and revise the milling charges accordingly.He expressed the hope the Rs. 1,500 crore paddy procurement operations would be a smooth affair and the complaints would be redressed without any delay.The Food Corporation of India hasprocured 44.6 per cent of the paddy as against its allocated share of 40 per cent so far.He said the commission agents had been advised to use power cleaners to ensure better quality of paddy.
