हिंदी
· CABINET LAUDS FOOD MINISTER & DEPT FOR SEAMLESS PROCUREMENT OF WHEAT AMID COVID-19
Chandigarh, May 27:
The Punjab Government will decide on the future course of action with respect to the lockdown in the state on May 30.
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will chair a review meeting with the concerned departments on the overall Covid situation in the state on May 30, and announce the government’s decision on lifting or further extension of lockdown thereafter.
Disclosing this on Wednesday after the Cabinet meeting, an official spokesperson said the Cabinet decided that the decision should be taken after on-ground assessment of the situation a couple of days before the current lockdown is due to end. Any decision on extension, with our without relaxations, will be taken after the review meeting.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet complimented the Food & Civil Supplies department for ensuring seamless procurement of wheat during Rabi Marketing Season 2020-21 especially amid the trying COVID-19 and lockdown situation.
The Cabinet also placed on record its appreciation for Food & Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu for successfully accomplishing the gigantic task of wheat procurement in nearly 4,000 mandis across the state while strictly adhering to the health and social distancing protocols for the safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders.
While lauding the smooth procurement operations in this difficult phase, Captain Amarinder said that it was really satisfying that the entire department of Food & Civil Supplies and Punjab Mandi Board worked day and night to ensure elaborate arrangements in a record time of just one and half month. To avoid crowding and congestion in the mandis, the Punjab Mandi Board had issued 17.34 lakh passes to the farmers through Aarthiyas to bring their produce in a staggered manner.
As of May 26, a total of 126.80 LMT wheat had been procured by various agencies, of which 123.64 LMT had been lifted and payment to the tune of Rs.21004.68 crore made so far to the farmers.
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