To avoid it, Centre to deploy more special trains for wheat
Chandigarh: With wheat stocks piling up in some areas and procurement set to pick up in northern districts of Punjab, the Centre has decided to press into service more daily special trains to transport wheat directly to recipient states to ease the glut-like situation in the grain markets of the agrarian state.
According to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), 25 rakes were commissioned on Tuesday. Once procurement picks up in all districts, movement of wheat stocks would be increased to 45-50 rakes daily in coming days. “Direct loading of wheat is already going on in full swing in Ludhiana, Patiala, Ferozepur, and Faridkot districts. There is no shortage of trains, and therefore, no problem with the lifting process,” said B Srinivasan, GM, FCI Punjab.
The Centre has also allowed covered and plinth (CAP) storage of wheat in the state till June 2023.
SHORTAGE OF
LABOUR, TRUCKS
There are reports of labour issues in the grain markets of Bathinda and Mansa that are affecting the movement of rakes. Arhtiyas are also complaining that there is a shortage of labour and trucks for lifting to godowns at places where special trains are being used by FCI as the entire focus then shifts to rail yards.
Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of Punjab Artiyas Association, said the decision to directly load wheat on trains had resulted in shortage of labour for transporting wheat to godowns. “Almost all mandis in the Malwa region are choked. Only 20% stock is being lifted through trains. The exercise should be suspended for 10-15 days, so that the focus is on shifting wheat to godowns to create adequate space for new arrivals,” he said.
“As the contractors are the same, they have diverted the labour and trucks to carrying wheat stock[to the rails instead of the covered godowns, he said. On Monday, stock was loaded in Nakodar.
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