Stories
Mann Urges Centre: Clear Punjab's Foodgrain Stocks to Prevent Procurement Crisis
- •Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the Centre to urgently clear foodgrain stocks from the state before the peak arrival of paddy to ensure adequate storage space.
- •Mann requested immediate movement of 6 LMT rice by October 10 and 15 LMT wheat during the entire month to free up space.
- •Nearly 40 LMT wheat stocks are currently occupying space at rice mills and mandi yards, with about 17 LMT still remaining.
- •The Chief Minister warned that failure to clear these stocks could prevent farmers from unloading their produce and disrupt smooth procurement operations, potentially leading to a law and order situation.
- •Punjab had previously requested the movement of 15 LMT rice and 10-12 LMT wheat in September, but only 8.3 LMT rice and 4.3 LMT wheat were moved.
Key Questions Answered
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urged Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi to immediately move 6 LMT of rice by October 10 and 15 LMT of wheat during October 2026 to clear space for incoming paddy. He also pointed out that roughly 40 LMT of wheat stocks are currently occupying space at rice mills and mandi yards.
Mann warned that if existing wheat stocks are not cleared from rice mills and mandis, farmers will be unable to unload their produce, and rice mills will lack storage space for the upcoming paddy harvest. This disruption during peak arrivals in KMS 2026-27 could potentially create a law and order crisis in the state.
Due to a persistent shortage of storage space with the Food Corporation of India, only 99.50 LMTs or 94 percent of Custom Milled Rice from Kharif Marketing Season 2025-26 was delivered by September 29, 2026, leaving nearly 6 LMTs still pending.
