*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Writes To Union Food & Public Distribution Minister; Says Farmers Must Not Face Trouble In Mandis Due To Lack Of Storage Space*
*Centre Must Ensure Immediate Movement Of 6 LMT Rice & 15 LMT Wheat From Punjab To Facilitate Smooth Paddy Procurement: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Nearly 40 LMT Wheat Stocks Are Occupying Crucial Storage Space At Rice Mills & Mandi Yards: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Clear Wheat Stocks From Rice Mills & Mandis Before Paddy Arrivals Peak: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Centre Must Immediately Issue Directions For Lifting Of 6 LMT Rice From October 1 To 10 And 15 LMT Wheat During October: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Only 8.30 LMT Rice & 4.30 LMT Wheat Have Been Lifted From Punjab So Far In September: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*No Space Crunch Should Disrupt Paddy Procurement Or Trouble Farmers: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Timely Movement Of Foodgrains Essential To Avoid Disruption In KMS 2026-27 Procurement: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
CHANDIGARH; 2nd October 2026:Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has urged the Centre to urgently clear foodgrain stocks from the State before the peak arrival of paddy, stressing that adequate storage space must be ensured to facilitate smooth procurement and prevent any difficulties for farmers in mandis. In a letter to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, the Chief Minister sought immediate movement of 6 LMT (Lakh Metric Ton) rice by October 10 and 15 LMT wheat during October, pointing out that nearly 40 LMT wheat stocks are occupying space at rice mills and mandi yards, with around 17 LMT still lying there. He stressed that these stocks must be cleared to create adequate space for incoming paddy and ensure that farmers can bring their produce to mandis without facing storage-related hurdles.
In the letter, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reminded Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi that Punjab had requested the movement of 15 LMT rice and 10-12 LMT wheat during September 2026 to complete the delivery of rice from KMS 2025-26 and clear wheat stocks lying in rice mills and mandi yards before the start of KMS 2026-27. “However, only 8.3 LMT rice and 4.3 LMT wheat has been moved out of the State from 1st to 29th September 2026,” noted the Chief Minister.
He pointed out, “In this regard, it is apprised that due to persistent shortage of storage space with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), only 99.50 LMTs (94%) Custom Milled Rice of Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 could be delivered till today, i.e., 29th September, 2026, against the due quantity of 105.64 LMT and nearly 6 LMTs is still balance to be delivered.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “With the next Kharif Marketing Season commencing from tomorrow, i.e. October 1st, 2026 and peak arrivals expected around 10th October 2026, delivery of all pending rice to FCI by then is of paramount importance so as to avoid carry over of balance paddy stocks in the next Kharif season and also to prevent complications in stock accounting and recycling of paddy/rice.”
The Chief Minister said, “Delay in milling is already causing unrest amongst the millers and if the delivery of rice goes beyond mid-October, the rice millers may not come forward for storage & milling of paddy and such a scenario may result in unrest amongst other stakeholders also, especially farmers.”
He said, “Though the State is making all out efforts to ensure timely completion of rice delivery, movement of 6 LMT rice stocks from 1st October to 10th October is urgently required to achieve the same.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further highlighted the severe shortage of wheat storage space, saying, “It is pertinent to mention here that due to shortage of space for storage of wheat in the State, nearly 40 LMT wheat stocks procured during RMS 2026-27 were stored at rice mills and mandi yards with the premise that these stocks would be moved by Sept/Oct mid 2026.”
The Chief Minister said, “However, due to much slow pace of liquidation of wheat from the State from June to September 2026, nearly 17 LMT wheat of RMS 2026-27 is still lying in rice mills & mandi yards as on date.”
He cautioned, “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, which would disrupt smooth procurement operations.”
He further said, “Such a scenario may lead to a Law & Order situation in the State at the time of peak arrivals of paddy during KMS 2026-27.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab had repeatedly requested the Centre for adequate monthly movement of foodgrains, stating, “It is pertinent to mention here that State has been making repeated requests since June’26 to provide at least 10 LMT movement of wheat & rice every month, however, the actual movement of wheat and rice from June to September 2026 has only been as follows.”
According to the figures included in the Chief Minister’s letter, the movement during June 2026 stood at 11.91 LMT, comprising 6.55 LMT rice and 5.36 LMT wheat. During July, the total movement was 11.60 LMT, comprising 6.70 LMT rice and 4.90 LMT wheat. In August, 12.72 LMT was moved, including 7.70 LMT rice and 5.02 LMT wheat, while during September up to September 29, the movement stood at 12.60 LMT, comprising 8.30 LMT rice and 4.30 LMT wheat.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “As such, the wheat stocks stored in rice mills & mandi yards are required to be urgently moved out during October 2026 so as to create space for procurement and storage of paddy during KMS 2026-27.”
He added, “The rice millers, on the pretext of space crunch in their premises, may not come forward for allotment/storage and milling of paddy of KMS 2026-27.”
The Chief Minister therefore made a direct request to the Union Minister, stating, “I may thus request you for your personal indulgence for issuance of necessary directions to the concerned officials of Department of Food & Public Distribution and FCI, HQs to provide 6 LMT movement of rice from 1st October to 10th October and movement of 15 LMT wheat during the month of October 2026 to the State of Punjab.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the requested movement was necessary “so as to ensure smooth procurement operations during KMS 2026-27 and to avoid any untoward/law & order situation in this sensitive border State.”
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*PUNJAB ACHIEVES THIRD POSITION IN VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION AT NATIONAL LEVEL*
*— Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh congratulates blood donors & civil society organisations; calls for making voluntary blood donation a continuous people’s movement*
*— Over 5.44 lakh units collected across the state in 2025–26; 92% of blood collection overall and 99.6% in Government Blood Centres was voluntary*
CHANDIGARH, October 2:Punjab has brought laurels to the state by securing the third positiacross the nation in voluntary blood donation per million population, based on blood donation data recorded on the Union Government’s e-RaktKosh portal for the calendar year 2025.
Congratulating the people of Punjab, voluntary blood donors, non-governmental organisations, and healthcare professionals, Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh termed this prestigious national recognition as a testament to the selfless spirit and compassion of Punjabis.
The state was officially felicitated during the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day (NVBDD) 2026 programme held at the Swarn Jayanti Auditorium, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. The event was graced by Dr M. Srinivas, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, as Chief Guest, along with Dr Loveneesh G. Krishna, Director General of Health Services, and Dr Himani Ahluwalia, Director, LHMC.
Highlighting the state’s exemplary performance, Dr Balbir Singh shared that during 2025–26, a total of 5,44,167 units of blood were collected across Punjab through 6,583 blood donation camps organised with extensive community support. Reflecting the strong culture of voluntary blood donation in the state, 92 per cent of the total blood collection was voluntary, while the contribution in Government Blood Centres was an impressive 99.6 per cent voluntary.
“Blood donation is one of the noblest forms of service to humanity. Every single unit donated voluntarily becomes a lifeline for a patient in critical care. This national honour belongs first and foremost to our noble voluntary blood donors whose unwavering generosity powers our healthcare ecosystem,” said Dr Balbir Singh.
The Health Minister lauded the dedicated efforts of the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC), Punjab State AIDS Control Society (PSACS), government and private blood centres, NGOs, educational institutions, and other stakeholders for driving mass awareness. He placed special appreciation on youth and student volunteers, noting that their active participation is pivotal to building a vibrant, sustainable donor repository for the future.
Reiterating the commitment of the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government, Dr Balbir Singh asserted that the state will continue expanding blood transfusion infrastructure, ensuring round-the-clock availability of safe blood and components, and maintaining 100 per cent voluntary blood donation coverage so that no patient is left in distress.
Making an impassioned appeal to all healthy and eligible citizens, especially youth, the Health Minister urged them to step forward regularly and turn voluntary blood donation into a mass continuous people’s movement in Punjab. “A small contribution of our time gives someone a second chance at life,” he said.
Meanwhile, Punjab was represented at the national felicitation ceremony by Dr Sunita Devi, Joint Director (BTS-cum-Lab Services, PSACS), Pankaj Kumari, Deputy Director (Lab Services, PSACS), Dr Ketki Sharma, Assistant Director (VBD, BTS, PSBTC), and Amrit Raj, Office Assistant (PSBTC), who received the prestigious award on behalf of the State.
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*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SPEAKER KULTAR SINGH SANDHWAN PAYS RICH TRIBUTES TO MAHATMA GANDHI ON HIS BIRTH ANNIVERSARY*
Chandigarh, 2 October 2026:Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sardar Kultar Singh Sandhwan paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, revered as the Father of the Nation, on his birth anniversary.
In his message, Speaker Sandhwan urged the people of the state to follow the path of truth, non-violence, and harmony shown by Mahatma Gandhi. He described Mahatma Gandhi as an extraordinary personality whose visionary leadership secured India's freedom and dealt a crushing blow to British colonial rule.
Sardar Sandhwan emphasized that the sacrifices made by Mahatma Gandhi will be remembered for ages. He added that future generations will continue to draw inspiration and learn from Gandhi's life, teachings, and philosophy.
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*Punjab I&PR Minister Harjot Singh Bains Condoles Demise of Dainik Bhaskar State Editor's Mother*
Chandigarh, October 2:Punjab Information and Public Relations Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains on Friday mourned the demise of Smt. Murti Devi, mother of Mr. Baldev Krishan Sharma, State Editor (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal & Chandigarh) of Dainik Bhaskar newspaper. The 80-year-old Smt. Murti Devi is survived by three sons and two daughters.
In his condolence message, S. Bains said the loss of a mother is irreparable, adding, "My heartfelt condolences are with Mr. Baldev Krishan Sharma and his family in this hour of profound grief."
Expressing heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and relatives, S. Harjot Singh Bains prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.