DW BUREAU / LUDHIANA Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to lift every single grain of paddy from the market in the upcoming paddy procurement season, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma has directed the heads of procurement agencies in the district to ensure this process in a smooth and hassle free manner. Reviewing the preparations of the paddy procurement for the Kharif Season 2021-22 in the district during a meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said that the paddy has been cultivated on around 2.47 lakh hectare and around 19 lakh MT paddy is expected to be arrived in the grain markets. He said that the apart from 107 regular grain markets in the Ludhiana, the administration would also make temporary yards to decongest the markets for maintaining social distancing during the operations. Sharma directed all the heads to personally supervise the paddy procurement operations across the district beginning from October 1, so as to ensure prompt lifting of paddy as per their allotted share of procurement. He categorically said that all out efforts should be made to ensure smooth, hassle free and quick procurement of paddy on one hand and facilitate the farmers in getting timely payment of their produce on the other. Sharma said that farmers in the district should not be put to any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis. The Deputy Commissioner further said that the Sub Divisional Magistrates would be accountable for the smooth procurement operations in grain markets under his jurisdiction so that farmers do not face any sort of problem in selling their harvest. He asked Punjab Mandi Board officials to make sure of arrangements in mandis to save produce from rain in case and to have proper sanitation facilities. Likewise, Sharma issued instructions to make requisite arrangement of power, sheds for the farmers, portable water supply and equipment to monitor the quality of paddy in each procurement centre. (editor@dailyworld.in)