The central government on Wednesday said that it had provided a detailed monthly plan to allocate the highest possible number of rail rakes (train wagons used for transporting goods) to Punjab. This is intended to quickly move out the state's existing rice stocks, which are currently taking up storage space affecting fresh paddy procurement.
Punjab, which currently holds 130 lakh tonnes of rice, faces logistics hurdles as it aims to procure 124 lakh tonnes in the current season.
As per the official data, 32 lakh tonnes of paddy have been purchased since October 1.
"The highest priority has been given to Punjab and Haryana for evacuation of the stock," Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi told reporters, addressing concerns over procurement delays.
He emphasised that a detailed space-creation strategy has been shared with the state government.
"We have given a detailed plan to the Punjab government on creation of space. ...Highest number of rakes have been provided...," he added.
The minister reiterated the Centre's commitment to procure 185 lakh tonnes of paddy, equivalent to 124 lakh tonnes of rice, from Punjab during the current marketing season.
"The government of India has clearly without any ambiguity clarified to them (Punjab) that we will purchase the committed quantity in time," Joshi said, adding that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had expressed satisfaction with the central government's assurance.
The procurement season began on October 1, with the Centre working to balance existing storage constraints with fresh crop arrivals.
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