*Under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann's Leadership Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill, 2026 Gets Punjab Cabinet Nod For Planned, Sustainable & Eco-Tourism Development*
*RDA To Have Administrative, Financial & Regulatory Powers For Integrated Development Of Ranjit Sagar And Shahpur Kandi Dam Areas*
*Bhagwant Mann Cabinet Approves New Driver Posts In Office Of CEO, Punjab By Surrendering Existing Posts*
*Amendment In Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules Approved For Promotion Of Eligible Nursing Staff As Tutors*
*Services Of Contractual Non-Teaching Staff Under PICTES To Be Regularised*
CHANDIGARH; 5th October 2026:The Punjab Cabinet led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave its nod to the Ranjitgarh Development Authority (RDA) Bill, 2026. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Ministers held here under the chairmanship of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Sharing this, the Chief Minister’s Office stated the Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill, 2026 would provide for the establishment of the Ranjitgarh Development Authority (RDA) for planned, sustainable and eco-tourism-oriented development of the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Dam areas.
The RDA will be constituted as a statutory body under the administrative control of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and will be vested with requisite administrative, financial and regulatory powers for integrated development, land management, project implementation and destination governance.
The Authority will be chaired by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, with the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs as Vice-Chairman. An Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary will oversee its day-to-day functioning and interdepartmental coordination.
*Gives Go Ahead To Recruitment Of Staff In Office Of CEO, Punjab*
The Cabinet also gave approval for the creation of new posts of Drivers in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab. These posts have been created by surrendering posts of Peons out of the 19 permanent posts and one permanent post of Moharrir.
The move is aimed at streamlining the functioning of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab.
*Green Signal To Amendment In Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules (Group B), 2016*
The Cabinet also approved an amendment in Appendix-B of the Punjab Nursing Education Service Rules (Group B), 2016, for filling up the posts of Tutor in Government College of Nursing, Patiala and Amritsar, under the Department of Medical Education and Research through promotion.
The posts will be filled from among Staff Nurses and Nursing Sisters working on a regular basis under the control of the Director, Research and Medical Education, Punjab, who have obtained an M.Sc. (Nursing) in the concerned specialty. Preference will be given to candidates having one year of teaching experience in nursing education.
*Gives Concurrence To Regularization Of Services Of Non-Teaching Staff In PICTES*
The Cabinet also gave concurrence for regularization of the services of non-teaching staff working on a contractual basis under the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES).
The employees to be regularized will be extended the benefit of regularization under PICTES in the prescribed pay scales.
===========================
*Our Govt Will Never Let ‘Toon-Toon’ Notifications On Mawan Dheeyan's Phones Stop: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Congress, Akali Dal and BJP Are Against Providing Monthly Financial Assistance to Women: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Free Electricity for Every Household & Daytime Power Supply for Farmers Will Continue: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*‘No Cash, No Farmaish’ Policy in Govt Jobs Recruitment Will Continue: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Punjab Became No.1 After Overtaking Kerala by Transforming Govt Schools: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Once Govt Facilities Reached Them, Olympians Emerging From Punjab’s Villages Started Bringing Home Medals: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*Our Govt Has Delivered More Than What We Promised People of Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*BJP, Akali Dal and Congress Have Neither Any Issue nor Any Vision for Punjab: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann*
*CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Addresses People at Lok Milni Programme in Sardulgarh Halqa*
SARDULGARH; 5th October 2026:Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government would continue its people-centric policies, including 'Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna' for women, free electricity for households, daytime power supply for farmers and government recruitment through a transparent “No Cash, No Farmaish” system, while pointing out to the BJP, Congress and Akali Dal’s opposition of these public welfare measures and lacking a clear vision for Punjab. During a Lok Milni programme in Sardulgarh Halqa, he said his government had delivered more than it had promised, transforming government schools, expanding public facilities and creating an environment in which athletes from Punjab’s villages were bringing home Olympic medals.
Addressing the Lok Milni programme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people of Punjab had witnessed a fundamental change in the functioning of government, with public money increasingly being channelled towards welfare, education, healthcare, electricity, irrigation and employment. “The happiness reflected on the faces of women whenever financial assistance reaches their bank accounts is a testimony to the impact of welfare-oriented governance. Our government will never let the notifications on the mobile phones of Punjab’s mothers and sisters stop. As long as the state government is serving the people, the assistance meant for women will continue to reach their bank accounts,” he added.
The Chief Minister said the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojna was designed to provide direct financial assistance to eligible women and that the state government had recently transferred the second instalment of ₹1,262.54 crore to 36.87 lakh women, covering three months. He said, “The objective of our government is not merely to make announcements but to ensure that welfare schemes actually reach people. The real meaning of governance is when a woman sitting in a village receives a message on her phone that money has been deposited in her account.”
He said, “Such a message gives her confidence that the government stands with her and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause aimed at their welfare.”
Taking on the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out that these parties are opposed to the monthly financial assistance being provided to women. He said, “Those who ruled Punjab for decades should tell the people what they did for the economic empowerment of ordinary women. Today, when women are receiving direct financial assistance, these parties are questioning the scheme.”
“But our government has made its position absolutely clear that the welfare of Punjab’s mothers and daughters cannot be compromised,” he said.
The Chief Minister affirmed that his government has placed women, farmers, youth and students at the centre of its governance model rather than allowing the benefits of government schemes to remain confined to a few influential sections. He said, “The responsibility of the government is to collect taxes from the people and use that money transparently for public welfare and development.”
He said that the AAP government has repeatedly made it clear that public revenue must be channelled back into development works, welfare and essential services. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The 300 units of free electricity per month for eligible domestic consumers will continue. The government has provided substantial relief to households through this scheme. For years, electricity bills were a major burden on ordinary families, but today eligible households are receiving relief in the form of zero bills.”
He said, “This is the difference between a government that talks about the people and a government that actually works for them.”
The Chief Minister also said that farmers will continue to receive daytime electricity for agricultural purposes, stressing that reliable power supply was essential for Punjab’s agricultural economy. He said, “Farmers will continue to receive daytime electricity for agriculture. Reliable power supply is essential for Punjab’s agricultural economy.”
Highlighting the steps taken to strengthen Punjab’s own power infrastructure, he referred to the purchase of the Goindwal Sahib thermal power plant as part of the government’s efforts in this direction. He said, “The farmers of the state deserve electricity when they need it, not when someone sitting in an office decides to give it to them. Daytime power for agriculture will continue.”
On employment, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that employment opportunities had been one of the central priorities of his government and that the recruitment process had been transformed so that young people could compete on merit without having to pay money or seek political recommendations.
He said, “The youth of the state should not have to carry money in their pockets or a recommendation letter in their hands to get a government job. Their qualification, ability and merit is enough. The system of providing government jobs without cash and without recommendation will not stop.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has sought to restore the confidence of young people in the recruitment process and create an environment in which a student from an ordinary family could aspire to a government job solely on the strength of merit. He said that the state government has provided more than 70,000 jobs to the youth completely in a transparent manner. “For a poor family, the appointment letter of a son or daughter is not just a piece of paper but changes the future of the entire family,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the transformation of government schools is another major achievement of his government, adding that the state government does not accept the idea that children studying in government schools should receive second-class facilities. He said, “We invested in infrastructure, smart classrooms, teacher training and better learning environments. The result is that Punjab has moved from the lower ranks to the top in the school education assessment cited by the state government.”
He said that the government’s education reforms has changed the aspirations of students from ordinary families. “Earlier, a child from a poor family was often told to compromise with circumstances, but now they are dreaming of becoming a doctor, engineer, civil servant or Olympian. This is the real transformation of Punjab,” he said.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has also focused on competitive-examination preparation and opportunities for students from government schools. He said, “We want children from ordinary families to have the opportunity to compete and move ahead on the strength of their ability and hard work.”
He said that the emergence of athletes from rural Punjab is proof that talent had never been lacking in the state, adding that what was often missing was infrastructure and opportunity. “Punjab’s villages have always had talent and our responsibility is to provide that talent with grounds, coaches, equipment and opportunities,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
The Chief Minister said, “Once facilities began reaching villages, the children of those villages started reaching national and international platforms and bringing medals for the country. Sports should not be viewed merely as recreation but as an important instrument for channelising the energy of young people.”
He said, “A playground can save a young person from going in the wrong direction and a good coach can change a child’s life. A medal won by a Punjabi youngster brings pride not only to one family but to the entire state.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has delivered more than it had promised. He said, “Our government came to the people with promises, but we did not stop at promises. We delivered free electricity, better government schools, healthcare initiatives, employment, canal water, infrastructure and financial assistance for women. All these initiatives are part of a larger transformation.”
He said that the government had attempted to make governance more accessible by taking administration directly to the people through programmes such as Lok Milni. “I have not come here to sit on a stage and listen only to prepared speeches. I have come to listen directly to the people. Their problems, their suggestions and their expectations are the real agenda of the government,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
Taking a sharp dig at the BJP, Congress and Akali Dal, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these parties are increasingly focusing on criticism of the government instead of presenting an alternative roadmap for Punjab. He said, “The people of Punjab want to know what is their vision for Punjab? What will they do for women? What will they do for farmers? What will they do for youth? What will they do for government schools? What will they do to strengthen healthcare?”
He said, “Instead of answering these questions, they simply oppose whatever work is being done.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the traditional political parties have spent decades in power but had failed to provide a comparable model of public service. He said, “Political parties should come before the people with concrete programmes rather than merely opposing one another. Punjab does not need politics of slogans but the state needs politics of performance. The people are intelligent enough to see who is working and who is only talking.”
He said, “The people of Punjab have a right to demand accountability from every political party and the next phase of Punjab’s development has already begun.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government will continue working to strengthen every sector of the state and ensure that development reaches villages as well as cities. He said, “The aim of the state government is to build a Punjab where a woman has financial dignity, a farmer has reliable electricity and irrigation, a young person gets employment on merit, a child receives quality education in a government school and a talented sports person gets the facilities needed to win medals.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the people of Punjab gave his government the responsibility to serve them and that they are fulfilling that responsibility with honesty and dedication. “The work that has started will not stop,” he said.
He said, “The notifications on women’s phones will continue, free electricity will continue, daytime power for farmers will continue, merit-based recruitment will continue and the transformation of Punjab will continue.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the ultimate measure of governance is the improvement in the everyday lives of ordinary people. He said, “Our government will continue working with the objective of creating a stronger, prosperous and progressive Punjab.”
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*NATIONAL VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION DAY: HEALTH MINISTER FELICITATES OUTSTANDING DONORS, NGOs & BLOOD CENTRES*
*— COLLEGE STUDENTS MUST COMMIT TO AT LEAST ONE BLOOD DONATION A YEAR: DR BALBIR SINGH*
*— CALLS UPON VOLUNTEERS TO TRANSFORM FROM ‘STAR DONORS’ INTO ‘STAR MOTIVATORS’ TO INSPIRE THE MASSES*
*— HEALTH MINISTER DIRECTS DEPARTMENT TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO BRING STATE'S HEPATITIS-C POSITIVITY RATE BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE*
*— PUNJAB SECURES 3rd POSITION NATIONALLY IN VOLUNTARY BLOOD DONATION; COLLECTS OVER 5.44 LAKH UNITS WITH 99.6% VOLUNTARY COLLECTION IN GOVT CENTRES*
*— PATHANKOT HONOURED AS 'SAKSHAM DISTRICT', SIX OTHERS FELICITATED AS 'SURAKSHIT DISTRICTS' FOR COMMENDABLE PROGRESS TOWARDS HIV 95–95–95 TARGETS*
CHANDIGARH, October 5:Reiterating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government’s resolve to make safe blood accessible to all, Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Monday felicitated outstanding blood donors, donor organisations, and blood centres during a state-level function organised at Municipal Bhawan here to commemorate National Voluntary Blood Donation Day.
At the event, the Health Minister also celebrated Punjab’s stellar feat of securing third position across the nation in voluntary blood donation per million population on the Union Government's e-RaktKosh portal, while leading the country in repeat voluntary donors. On this occasion, Dr Balbir Singh also released a special commemorative souvenir of the Punjab State Blood Transfusion Council (PSBTC), encapsulating the milestones, best practices, and donor achievements across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Balbir Singh laid stress on four key focal areas to transform healthcare and blood transfusion services in the state. He gave a clarion call to the youth, urging that every college student must pledge to donate blood at least once a year.
Exhorting active blood donors to step up as champions of the cause, he said, “You have proved your commitment through your selfless deeds. Now is the time to transition from 'Star Donors' to 'Star Motivators' so that you inspire thousands of others, particularly youngsters, to come forward and save lives.”
Expressing concern over the prevalence of Hepatitis C in the region, the Health Minister directed the Health Department to work on a mission mode to bring Punjab's Hepatitis C positivity rate well below the national average through rigorous screening, comprehensive tracking, early treatment linkage, and strict blood safety protocols.
He reiterated that the government is strengthening transfusion safety by introducing advanced Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) and Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) to reduce diagnostic window periods and eliminate transmission risks of infections like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Underlining the state's achievements, Dr Balbir Singh said Punjab has built a robust transfusion ecosystem comprising 198 licensed blood centres (49 government, 7 military, and 142 private/trust-run). During 2025–26, a total of 5,44,167 blood units were collected across the state through 6,583 donation camps. Out of the 1,78,382 units collected at government blood centres, an astounding 1,77,583 units—nearly 99.6 per cent—were contributed by voluntary blood donors.
Dispelling lingering myths, Dr Balbir Singh said, "Blood donation causes no weakness or deficiency in the body. Good health is life's true treasure, and regular donation keeps you vibrant while saving lives. Let us make regular voluntary blood donation a continuous social movement in Punjab.”
During the state-level felicitation, PBG Welfare Club, Kotkapura, bagged the first position among voluntary blood donation organisations for collecting and supplying 8,933 blood units to government centres. Among male donors, Surinder Pal of Bathinda was honoured for securing the top spot in Punjab by donating blood 149 times, while among female donors, Harwinder Kaur of Jalandhar stood first by donating 69 times.
In total, 17 centurion male donors (100+ donations), 18 female donors (25+ donations), four specially-abled donors, 12 single-donor platelet (SDP) apheresis donors, and six voluntary organisations were felicitated. Retired Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Bagga was conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing services to voluntary blood transfusion.
Patiala and Sangrur were adjudged the best-performing districts alongside honours for blood centres exhibiting minimal discard rates, highest component separations, and dedicated supplies for thalassaemia patients. The Department of Transfusion Medicine at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and Government Medical College, Sector-32, Chandigarh, were also honoured for their stellar leadership and academic training support.
Marking significant strides in HIV control, the Minister also honoured districts achieving commendable milestones under the HIV 95–95–95 cascade targets of the Punjab State AIDS Control Society (PSACS). Pathankot was honoured as a ‘Saksham District’, while Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Amritsar, Kapurthala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Bathinda were awarded the title of ‘Surakshit Districts’. Dr Balbir Singh noted that early diagnosis, quick ART linkage, high patient retention, and continuous viral load suppression remain key pillars to ending AIDS in Punjab.
Special Secretary Health-cum-Project Director PSACS and Director PSBTC Sakshi Sawhney, Director Health Services Dr Hitinder Kaur, Additional Project Director PSACS Dr Vishal Garg, Joint Director BTS Dr Sunita Devi, Joint Director BSD Dr Sukhwinder Kaur, Joint Director CST Dr Harpreet Kaur, Joint Director Prevention Dr Meenu, and Joint Director IEC Pavan Rekha Beri were among the prominent dignitaries present on the occasion.
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*Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Holds Crucial Meetings with ITI Instructors & PUNBUS / PRTC Unions to Resolve Pending Demands*
*AAP Govt Sets October 15 Deadline to Resolve PUNBUS / PRTC Contract Workers’ Demands: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt Committed to Resolve Legitimate Demands of Contract Workers Without Delay: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Bhagwant Singh Mann Govt Moves to Secure Tenure & Salary Appraisal for ITI Contract Instructors: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH, 5th October 2026:To resolve grievances and service-related matters of state government employees and contractual staff, Punjab Finance, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who also heads the Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted to resolve employees' issues, on Monday presided over high-level meetings with representatives of various Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) employee associations and the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS / PRTC Contract Workers' Union Punjab (25/11).
During detailed deliberations with representatives of the PUNBUS / PRTC Contract Workers' Union, Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, Anurag Verma, to redress all legitimate demands of the contract workers by October 15. He also directed the department to convene a meeting of the Board of Directors (BoD) without delay to ensure prompt approval for matters requiring board concurrence.
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “All legitimate demands of the Punbus/PRTC contract workers should be redressed by October 15. The Transport Department must also convene a meeting of the Board of Directors without delay so that matters requiring the Board’s concurrence can be approved promptly.”
In a separate session with representatives of government ITI contractual employees, including delegations from the Sarkari ITIs Theka Mulazam Union Punjab and the All Punjab DST/CTS Contract Instructor Union, the Finance Minister reviewed their memorandums. The unions highlighted concerns regarding tenure security up to the age of 58 years and fair compensation and salary appraisals, noting their extensive service as guest faculty and contract instructors.
Addressing their concerns, the cabinet minister stated, “The concerns of government ITI contractual employees regarding tenure security up to the age of 58 years and fair compensation and salary appraisals will be considered. Their extensive service as guest faculty and contract instructors must be taken into account while examining these issues.”
He further directed Director, Technical Education, Moneesh Kumar, to prepare and submit a formal salary appraisal proposal for ITI instructors to the Finance Department at the earliest.
The Transport Minister said, “Director, Technical Education, Moneesh Kumar, has been directed to prepare and submit a formal proposal for salary appraisal of ITI instructors to the Finance Department at the earliest, so that the matter can be considered and resolved swiftly.”
Reiterating the AAP government’s commitment, Harpal Singh Cheema emphasised, “The Bhagwant Singh Mann Government is actively engaging with employee unions across departments to ensure prompt, structured and sympathetic resolution of their genuine issues and demands. The government will continue to work with employees and their representatives to address legitimate concerns in a timely manner.”
During the meetings, Resham Singh Gill, Shamsher Singh, Harkesh Kumar, Rohi Ram – Baljit Singh, Balwinder Singh Rath, Jagjit Singh and Jatinder Singh from Punbus/PRTC Contract Workers' Union Punjab (25/11); Sewa Singh, Sukhraj Singh, Navneet Singh and Rajinder Singh from Sarkari ITIs Theka Mulazam Union Union; and Kirandeep Singh Rupana, Pardeep Singh and Harpreet Singh from All Punjab DST / CTS Contract Instructor Union presented their case.
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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Moves to End Pay Disparity for 180 ETT Teachers, Inquiry to Be Fast-Tracked: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*180 ETT Teachers to Get Relief From Pay Disparity With Their Juniors: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Inquiry Report in 180 ETT Teachers’ Case to Be Obtained Without Delay, Immediate Action to Follow: Harpal Singh Cheema*
CHANDIGARH, 5th October 2026:In a major development, the Bhagwant Mann government on Monday reached a consensus to resolve the grievances of the 180 ETT (Elementary Teacher Training) Teachers Union (Jai Singh Wala case), agreeing in principle to address their salary concerns by removing pay disparity with their juniors and expediting the ongoing inquiry for a speedy redressal of their legitimate demands.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, "To ensure that the resolution faces no administrative bottlenecks, directions were issued to obtain the ongoing inquiry report without further delay. The Education Department has been directed to initiate immediate follow-up action based on the findings as soon as the enquiry report is submitted.*
The decision was taken during a crucial high-level meeting held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema alongside Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Special Secretary (Finance) Showkat Ahmad Parray, and Secretary (School Education) Sonali Giri.
During the deliberations, representatives of the 180 ETT Teachers Union laid out their charter of demands, detailing their grievances and placing case records before the ministers and senior officials. After giving the delegation a patient hearing, the government took a positive stance on resolving their financial concerns, agreeing to ensure pay parity with their juniors.
During the meeting, Kamal Thakur, Sohan Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Gaurav Kant, Gurprit Sidhu and Parshotam Kumar present the case of 180 ETT Teachers Union (Jai Singh Wala).
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Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led State Government Fully Prepared for Smooth Paddy Procurement Operations Across Punjab: Food Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak
State agencies procure 3.44 lakh MT paddy against total arrival of 3.83 lakh MT; Rs 188 crore paid to farmers
Lifting to be accelerated in coming days; adequate gunny bags available; Minister reviews procurement arrangements at Kharar Mandi
Chandigarh/Kharar (SAS Nagar), October 5:The Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak today said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement of paddy across the State. He said that the State Government is closely monitoring the procurement process to ensure that farmers do not face any inconvenience at the mandis.
Reviewing the ongoing paddy procurement operations at Kharar grain market, the Minister said that 3.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had arrived in mandis across Punjab so far, out of which the State procurement agencies had already procured 3.44 lakh metric tonnes. He said that Rs 188 crore had been paid to farmers against the procured paddy.
The Minister further said that the pace of lifting would be further accelerated in the coming days. He also assured the farmers that there is no shortage of gunny bags and all necessary arrangements had been made to facilitate the procurement process.
Punjab would comfortably achieve the target of procuring 180 lakh metric tonnes of paddy for the Government quota, said Mr. Kataruchak and added that a Cash Credit Limit of Rs. 42,786 crore had already been sanctioned by the Reserve Bank of India, ensuring adequate financial arrangements for procurement operations.
During the review, the Minister interacted with farmers, Arhtiyas and other stakeholders to seek their feedback regarding the procurement arrangements and issues being faced at the ground level. In his presence, PUNSUP purchased the paddy crop of farmer Mandeep Singh of Tripri village, who had brought his produce to the mandi the same day.
The Minister directed the procurement agencies to ensure that payment is credited to farmers' bank accounts within 24 hours of the purchase entry being made in the official records. He stressed that all agencies must work in close coordination to ensure timely procurement, lifting and payment.
On the occasion, MP Malvinder Singh Kang, who accompanied the Minister during the visit, said that the existing stock of paddy in the State would be cleared through coordination with the Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had already written to Union Minister Prahlad Joshi in this regard.
He said that the existing stock pertains to the Government quota and it is the responsibility of the Government of India to facilitate its clearance so that adequate storage space is available for the incoming paddy crop.
Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Singh Goldy, who was also present during the visit, said that issues arising at the local level were being resolved through coordination among the concerned departments so that farmers do not face any difficulty at the mandi.
Market Committee Kharar Chairman Sukhjinder Singh Bittu also apprised the Minister of the arrangements at the mandi.
SDM Kharar Gurmeet Singh, District Food and Civil Supplies Controller Varinder Kumar, officials of procurement agencies, Mandi Board officials and other concerned officers were also present during the visit.