"Highest priority given to Punjab and Haryana for evacuation," says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on paddy procurement

New Delhi [India], October 23 (ANI): Responding on the paddy procurement issue, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said that the highest priority has been given to Punjab and Haryana for the evacuation.
"... Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had come to me... We had promised nearly about 185 metric tons of procurement of the paddy in Punjab and 124 metric tons of rice in Punjab, we are committed... And for space creation or whatever problem they are quoting, we have given a month-wise plan on how much space we are creating and how much we are evacuating. The highest priority is being given to the Punjab and Haryana for the procurment," said the Union Minister.
Pralhad Joshi said that the centre has clarified to the Punjab government that the timely purchase of the committed quantity will be done.
"Wherever there is a need for the rice, we are procuring from Punjab and Haryana... We have also given a detailed plan to the Punjab government about how we are going to create the space... Ultimately, we have clearly, without any ambiguity, clarified to them that we will purchase the committed quantity in time. There is no confusion in that. I am making this assurance again and even Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann expressed happiness about our commitment..." said Joshi.
CM Bhagwant Mann earlier outlined several demands to the Centre including the procurement rate for dry harvest to be adjusted from 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent.
Chaired by Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi, Minister of State for Food Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, a crucial meeting in Delhi was held on the issue of paddy procurement in Punjab.
Speaking to the media, Bhagwant Mann said. "Harvesting season in Punjab has begun. it is like a festival in Punjab because the economy of the state depends on it. Punjab has continuously been giving the maximum contribution to the food stock of the country. We will sell 180 lakh metric tons of our harvest to the centre. We are sceptical about things taking shape like last year."
The Punjab Chief Minister also stressed the need for proper milling facilities, stating, "We want proper space to be created for milling rice which will begin on 15 November." (ANI)