Mann warns Centre: Clear wheat stocks before Punjab’s paddy rush
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann warned that inadequate storage could disrupt paddy procurement as arrivals peak around October 10. He sought movement of 15 LMT wheat and 6 LMT rice by October 10, citing nearly 17 LMT wheat and 6 LMT pending rice stocks, threatening space shortages and farmer difficulties.
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has warned that inadequate storage space could disrupt paddy procurement and create problems for farmers as arrivals are expected to peak around October 10.
In a letter to Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi, Mann sought immediate movement of 15 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat during October and 6 LMT of rice by October 10 to free storage capacity in the state.
Nearly 17 LMT of wheat procured during RMS 2026-27 is still lying in rice mills and mandi yards, according to the Chief Minister. Mann said about 40 LMT had earlier been stored at these locations because of inadequate storage capacity in Punjab.
“If these wheat stocks are not moved, as a natural consequence, it will prevent farmers from unloading their produce in mandis while there will not be enough space in the rice mills for storage of paddy,” Mann said.
He also warned that such a situation could lead to a law-and-order problem during the peak procurement period.
The space crunch has been compounded by pending rice deliveries from the previous Kharif season. Punjab was required to deliver 105.64 LMT of custom-milled rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), but only 99.50 LMT had been delivered by September 29, leaving nearly 6 LMT pending.
Mann said Punjab had requested the Centre to move 15 LMT rice and 10-12 LMT wheat during September. However, only 8.30 LMT rice and 4.30 LMT wheat was moved out of the state between September 1 and 29.
The Chief Minister said Punjab had repeatedly sought at least 10 LMT monthly movement of wheat and rice since June. Combined movement stood at 11.91 LMT in June, 11.60 LMT in July, 12.72 LMT in August and 12.60 LMT up to September 29.
Mann also flagged pressure on rice millers, saying delays in rice delivery were already causing unrest. If rice deliveries continue beyond mid-October, millers may be reluctant to take up storage and milling of the incoming paddy crop.
“Delivery of all pending rice to FCI by then is of paramount importance,” Mann said, pointing to the risk of carrying over stocks into the new Kharif season.
He has asked the Centre and FCI to ensure the requested movement during October so that adequate space is available for paddy procurement and storage and farmers do not face hurdles in unloading their crop.
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Source : The Financial World
