Benefits upto Rs. 10 Crore likely to labourers during one year owing to increase in labour rates: Lal Chand Kataruchak

Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister announces increase in labour rates for labourers engaged in loading work in mandis

Chandigarh, April 16:

The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is wholeheartedly committed to the safekeeping of the interests of all the stakeholders connected with the procurement operations in the mandis. The labourers undertaking loading work in the mandis are also an intricate part of the procurement process. Hence their labour rates have been increased to Rs. 2.64 Per Sack.

Divulging more details, the Minister while interacting with the mediapersons at Anaj Bhawan here today said that until a year ago, the labourers used to get Rs. 1.80 Per Sack which was increased by 41 paise to Rs. 2.21 Per Sack . Now, a further increase of 43 paise has been effected in the labour rates. In one year, the labour rates have been increased by 84 paise likely to result in the total benefit to the tune of Rs. 10 Crore to the Labourers, revealed the Minister adding that the present step is yet another proof of the State Government's committment to improve the lot of the labour class.

Regarding the storage space, Mr. Kataruchak pointed out that in a VC held today with the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts, he has directed the DCs to ensure adequate storage space he has been assured of no difficulties on this issue.

The Minister also disclosed that 2676 Purchase Centres have been set up including 1864 Regular ones and 812 Temporary. Till now, 4.19 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of wheat has arrived in the mandis of the State and out of this, 3.22 LMT has been procured which comes out to 76 percent. Also, payments worth Rs. 151 Crores in respect of the MSP have been credited into the accounts of the farmers.

Focussing on the other welfare centric measures of the present State Government, the Minister added that earlier the margin money of the depot holders was increased from Rs. 50 Per Quintal to Rs. 90. Per Quintal after 8 years.

Assuring the farmers that the Punjab Government stands committed to procuring every single Grain produced by them, Mr. Kataruchak said that all out arrangements have been made to ensure a hassle free procurement season.

Among others present on the occasion included the Principal Secretary Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Rahul Tiwari, & Secretary cum Director Varinder Kumar Sharma.