Centre sanctions Rs 28,262 cr to Punjab for paddy procurement

Chandigarh Oct 5 (IANS) The Centre on Thursday sanctioned a Cash Credit Limit (CCL) of Rs 28 262.84 crore for paddy procurement in Punjab this kharif season that will last till October-end official sources said.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh s personal intervention in the matter facilitated the CCL release required to ensure timely payment to farmers a spokesperson in the Chief Minister s Office said.

"The Chief Minister has been taking up the issue with the Centre on a regular basis and met both Union Agriculture and Finance Ministers this week in New Delhi to press for Punjab s case in the interest of state s farmers " the spokesperson said.

Amarinder Singh has directed all state procurement agencies to take immediate steps to ensure timely payment to farmers against their procured produce.

Punjab is expecting a bumper paddy crop with likely procurement of over 180 lakh tonnes by various government agencies.

--IANS
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