Demand to Move 6 Lakh Tonnes of Rice and 15 Lakh Tonnes of Wheat Out of Punjab

Chandigarh: The Chief Minister of Punjab has urged the Central Government to expedite the evacuation of 6 lakh tonnes of rice and 15 lakh tonnes of wheat from the state's warehouses to other states. This move aims to create storage space for the rice to be milled from the paddy procured during the Kharif marketing season. The paddy procurement season has already commenced in Punjab.

In a letter addressed to the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Punjab Chief Minister stated that firm arrangements must be made to move 6 lakh tonnes of rice out of state warehouses by October 10 and 15 lakh tonnes of wheat during the month of October.

A massive influx of paddy into Punjab's *mandis* (grain markets) and large-scale government procurement are set to begin soon. If sufficient warehouse space is not vacated promptly, paddy could pile up in the markets, causing significant difficulties for farmers in bringing their produce.

The state has a bumper paddy crop, and the government has also raised its procurement target. Previously, a stock of approximately 40 lakh tonnes of wheat was held in rice mills and *mandi* premises; a stock of 17 lakh tonnes still remains.