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Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mohali's 12 link roads to get makeover; Rs 8-cr project okayed
The face of Mohali's road infrastructure is set for a major transformation as 12 key link roads in the constituency will soon undergo repair and redevelopment. The Punjab Mandi Board has officially sanctioned a project worth Rs 8 crore for this purpose, which also includes a five-year maintenance plan. According to sources, the roads covered under this project include Raipur to Duralhi, Tangori and Bari via Kharar-Banur Road, Jhoothi to Alipur, Tangori to Manakpur Kallar, access road from Kharar to Landran, Gige Majra to Gudana, Dhirpur to Gobindgarh, Chacho Majra to Bakarpur and Jhoongian (via Gurdwara Sahib), Sekhan Majra to Kurra, Bakarpur–Safipur–Nadian, Dau to Ramgarh, Sector 82 to Manauli. The total road length to be developed under this initiative is 27.54 kilometres. In addition to the construction and repair work, Rs 80 lakh has been earmarked specifically for the maintenance of these roads over the next five years. Speaking on the matter, MLA Kulwant Singh said, 'Efforts to improve the poor condition of Mohali's roads are now gaining real momentum. Keeping in view the difficulties faced by villagers, repair work on these crucial link roads will begin very soon, ensuring lasting relief for the people.' This move is expected to ease travel for local residents and improve rural connectivity in the region.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Centre's negligence causing wheat backlog in Punjab markets: Punjab Mandi Board chief
1 2 Mohali: Wheat stocks are piling up in Punjab's markets due to the central government's failure to arrange timely transportation, alleged Harchand Singh Barsat , chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board in statement on Tuesday. He criticised the Centre for its inaction and urged immediate intervention to prevent spoilage of procured said that while a total of 124.05 lakh metric tons (LMT) of wheat has arrived in the state's markets, 123.35 LMT has already been only 79.36 LMT has been lifted so far, leaving a significant backlog of 43.99 LMT, which is still lying in the mandis. He called on the central government and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to arrange special trains urgently for wheat transportation."Farmers are receiving timely payments, and market arrangements have been streamlined," said Barsat. "Despite these efforts, the central government's negligence in lifting the purchased wheat threatens to undo the hard work of the Punjab administration."On May 5 alone, 1.10 LMT of wheat arrived in the state's markets, and 1.19 LMT was procured. So far, farmers have been paid Rs 25,821.71 crore for their produce. But with unpredictable weather patterns looming, the unlifted stock is at risk of damage."The central government's failure to act promptly is causing the grain to get wet, despite our adequate arrangements. If this continues, they will be solely responsible for the losses," Barsat also emphasised the perception among Punjabis that the Centre's attitude towards the state is discriminatory. "The FCI and central authorities must take immediate responsibility to ensure quality grain reaches the people," he said, reiterating the demand for special trains to expedite the lifting highlighted that the Mandi Board has announced 1,865 permanent procurement markets across Punjab, including 152 main yards, 285 sub-yards, and 1,428 procurement centres. Also, 1,028 temporary markets have been set up to accommodate the bumper wheat such as drinking water, toilets, cleanliness, and shaded seating have been arranged to ensure the comfort of farmers, labourers, and commission agents. However, without immediate action from the Centre, these efforts may fall short in safeguarding the harvested wheat.
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab's private wheat procurement soars, closes in on 2006 record
Private wheat procurement in Punjab is experiencing a significant surge this year, reaching the highest levels since 2006. The figures are quickly approaching the record numbers set in 2006, the year with the highest private wheat procurement by traders in the state over the past two decades. According to official Punjab Mandi Board data, private traders have procured 9.28 lakh tonnes (lt) of wheat in Punjab as of Wednesday. The only higher private procurement occurred in 2006, when private traders purchased 13.12 lakh tonnes, according to records from the Food Corporation of India (FCI). The year 2007 saw private procurement of 9.18 lakh tonnes. If the trend continues, this season could match or surpass the 2006 record for private procurement, marking a significant shift in Punjab's procurement dynamics. 'We expect that it will reach the 2006 record by the end of the season,' said a senior official familiar with the procurement trends. The wheat procured by private traders forms a substantial share of the 114.16 lt purchased in the ongoing procurement season. The total wheat arrival in the state's mandis stands at 115.57 lt, which means private players account for over 8 per cent of the total purchase—a notable development, given the usual dominance of government procurement agencies in the state. Procurement of wheat is still ongoing in the state, and it will take at least two more weeks to complete. A bumper crop is expected this year in Punjab, as weather conditions remained favourable throughout the wheat-growing season. Private procurement in recent years has been significantly lower: in 2024, it was 7.55 lt; in 2023, it was 4.69 lt; in 2022, it was 6.33 lt; in 2021, it was only 1.14 lt; in 2020, it was 1.93 lt; in 2019, it was 2.80 lt; and in 2018, it was 2.06 lt. There are approximately 70-75 roller flour mills in Punjab, with a daily processing capacity of 7,400 tonnes of wheat, although they typically operate at around 50 per cent capacity. This translates to an annual processing capacity of approximately 15 lt. Millers primarily focus on supplying atta, sooji, and maida within Punjab and to other states. According to the Punjab Market Board (PMB), Punjab millers earlier procured only 25-30% of wheat from within the state. The remaining 70–75 per cent was procured from the FCI's e-auctions under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) and from other states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, which often supplied wheat at lower prices than the FCI. However, this year, millers have already purchased over 60 per cent of their total wheat requirement from within Punjab. Several factors have contributed to this surge, Naresh Ghai, president of the Punjab Roller Flour Mills Association, told The Indian Express. 'Last year, rates were high—even the FCI under OMSS had opened the tender at Rs 3,100 per quintal, while the MSP was Rs 2,325 per quintal then,' said Ghai, adding that this year, millers preferred to purchase wheat at the MSP of Rs 2,425 per quintal instead because they are apprehensive of higher rate under OMSS. He added that millers are expected to purchase 2–3 lakh tonnes more in the coming days. The remaining 3 lakh tonnes will likely be procured directly from farmers, as many have stored a portion of their produce to sell later to private traders. Some quantity will also be bought under OMSS or sourced from other states.
