Mann urges Centre to urgently clear foodgrain stocks from Punjab

CHANDIGARH, Oct 2 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the Centre to urgently clear foodgrain stocks from the state before the peak arrival of paddy, stressing that adequate storage space must be ensured to facilitate smooth procurement and prevent any difficulties for farmers in mandis.

In a letter to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, the chief minister sought immediate movement of 6 LMT (Lakh Metric Ton) rice by October 10 and 15 LMT wheat during the entire month.

He pointed out that nearly 40 LMT wheat stocks are occupying space at rice mills and mandi yards, with around 17 LMT still lying there.

He stressed that these stocks must be cleared to create adequate space for incoming paddy and ensure that farmers can bring their produce to mandis without facing storage-related hurdles.

Mann said Punjab had repeatedly requested the Centre for adequate monthly movement of foodgrains.

He cautioned, "If these wheat stocks are not moved, as a natural consequence, it will prevent farmers from unloading their produce in mandis while there will not be enough space in the rice mills for storage of paddy, which would disrupt smooth procurement operations."

He further said, "Such a scenario may lead to a law and order situation in the state at the time of peak arrivals of paddy during KMS 2026-27."

In the letter, Mann reminded Joshi that Punjab had requested the movement of 15 LMT rice and 10-12 LMT wheat during September 2026 to complete the delivery of rice from Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 and clear wheat stocks lying in rice mills and mandi yards before the start of KMS 2026-27.

"However, only 8.3 LMT rice and 4.3 LMT wheat has been moved out of the state from 1st to 29th September 2026," the CM noted.

He pointed out, "In this regard, it is apprised that due to persistent shortage of storage space with the Food Corporation of India (FCI), only 99.50 LMTs (94 per cent) Custom Milled Rice of Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 could be delivered till  29th September, 2026, against the due quantity of 105.64 LMT and nearly 6 LMTs is still balance to be delivered."

Mann added that with the next Kharif Marketing Season commencing from October 1, and peak arrivals expected around October 10, delivery of all pending rice to FCI by then is of paramount importance so as to avoid carry over of balance paddy stocks in the next kharif season and also to prevent complications in stock accounting and recycling of paddy/rice. (PTI)