New Delhi, April 27 Launching a scathing attack on the Punjab government, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu on Monday said the AAP government has failed in procurement of wheat.
He accused the state administration of criminal negligence, gross mismanagement, and deliberately harassing farmers and farm labourers.
Bittu said here while the Union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made every possible arrangement for smooth procurement, the Punjab government has exposed its incompetence and anti-farmer mindset.
“The Centre has approved a massive Rs 30,973 crore cash credit limit (CCL) for Punjab. Every logistical and procurement arrangement has been completed in advance yet farmers are forced to sleep in ‘mandis’, their produce lies unattended, and labourers are suffering because the Punjab government has failed on every front,” Bittu said in a statement.
He said the Centre had allocated 4.88 lakh bales (1 bale equal to 500 bags) for 2026-27 and also granted permission to procure additional stock through the GeM portal whenever required.
Even quality specifications were relaxed by the Union government to ensure no farmer suffers losses.
“Despite all support from the Centre, the Punjab government has no excuse left. If bags are available, storage space is created, CCL is sanctioned, and procurement norms are relaxed, then why is wheat not being purchased on time?” he asked.
Bittu also highlighted the proactive role played by the FCI and Indian Railways in clearing existing foodgrain stocks to create storage space.
“I personally monitored daily movement throughout April. Till 26 April, 275 rakes were moved from Punjab -- 109 rice and 166 wheat rakes. In the same period, Haryana moved only 131 rakes. Railways are fully prepared to provide more rakes within hours whenever FCI informs us,” he said.
He added that recurring power cuts during the peak season have further worsened the crisis, disrupting ‘mandi’ operations and causing hardship to labourers. He demanded immediate intervention by the Chief Minister and warned that history will not forgive a government that abandons farmers in their hour of need.
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