**DC REVIEWS PREPAREDNESS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS
***ASKS OFFICERS TO ENSURE HEALTH PROTOCOLS, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING IN MANDIS
***APPEALS FARMERS TO BRING RIPEN CROP IN MANDI BY TAKING REQUISITE PASS ISSUED BY MANDI BOARD
***NO COMBINE TO WORK WOTHOUT SUPER SMS
HOSHIARPUR, SEPTEMBER 28 / NEW SUPER BHARAT NEWS:
To ensure seamless paddy procurement across district, the Deputy Commissioner Apneet Riyait on Monday reviewed preparedness and arrangements during a meeting with officers and procurement agencies. With setting up of 80-Mandis in the district, 2820 metric tonnes of paddy arrived till Sunday evening.
The Deputy Commissioner also asked the authorities to strictly ensure and enforce all health safety protocols at procurement centres to keep the spread of COVID-19 under check during procurement operations, which would remain continue till November 30. She also emphasised that the procurement would be made in a staggered manner as farmers are to come to mandis with passes issued to them 72 hours advance as per the directions. Mandi yards have been marked with 30X30 feet blocks to maintain the social distance. She also directed to ensure hassle-free, smooth and timely procurement of paddy crop besides asking the procurement agencies to lift procured crop within 48 hours. She also instructed the authorities to monitor and enforce safety and sanitization protocols, with special focus on social distancing and maintain a hygienic environment at all procurement centres.
APPEALS FARMERS TO BRING ONLY RIPEN CROP:
The Deputy Commissioner also appealed the farmers to bring only ripen crop to Mandis to avert any inconvenience.
80 MANDIS IN HOSHIARPUR EXPECTS 4.41 LMT: It was also informed that there were total 80 mandis in the district, where 4,41,576 Metric Tonne of Paddy was expected to be procured in the current season. The FCI and four other agencies including Markfed, Punsup, Warehousing and Pungrain would procure the paddy in district Mandis. Pertinently, the Central Government has announced the MSP of Rs 1888 for Paddy this year.
It was also informed in the meeting that drinking water had been made available besides public conveniences at procurement centres with arrangements of soap, sanitizers and mask for farmers, labourers and staff.
NO COMBINE TO WORK WITHOUT SUPER SMS:
Deputy Commissioner also asked the officers to ensure that no combine should be allowed to run without Super SMS attached and those whom found violating the instructions would be penalised. She said that orders in this regard had already been issued few days back.–