Ludhiana: Ludhiana district has outperformed all others in Punjab in the ongoing paddy procurement season, recording the highest grain lifting from local mandis and setting a benchmark for efficiency in the state’s procurement operations.
According to official data, both Ludhiana East and Ludhiana West circles have achieved exceptional results, with lifting percentages of 108.12% and 105.67% respectively — the highest in Punjab so far. The achievement comes as a major relief to farmers, ensuring timely payments and preventing congestion in mandis.
Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain credited the coordinated efforts of procurement agencies and local officials for the success. “Ensuring that farmers face no delays or hardships is our top priority. The entire team has been working continuously, and I personally track daily lifting and arrivals,” Jain said.
District Food and Supplies Controller (East) Shefali Chopra informed that a total of 10,06,652 metric tonnes of paddy had reached Ludhiana’s mandis, of which 9,83,432 metric tonnes have already been lifted. Payments amounting to ₹2,173 crore have been transferred directly into farmers’ accounts for the procured grain.
While the harvesting season in Ludhiana had initially started on a slower note compared to other districts, the pace has since accelerated significantly. The smooth coordination among procurement agencies, transporters, and market committees has helped the district stay ahead of schedule.
The Deputy Commissioner had earlier instructed that any delay in procurement would not be tolerated, emphasizing that both government agencies and commission agents must ensure a hassle-free process for farmers.
Officials say Ludhiana’s efficient paddy management has set an example for the rest of Punjab, showing how timely coordination and monitoring can help ease the challenges faced during peak procurement season.