Chief Minister Mann Takes Stand Against 'Blackmailing' Amidst Paddy Procurement Crisis

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann states his government will counter rice millers' demands from outside the state if necessary. The AAP government faces criticism for slow paddy procurement, with only 2.62 lakh metric tonnes lifted out of 16.37 lakh procured. Protesting farmers demand immediate action.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared that his government will not succumb to 'blackmailing', promising to consider outsourcing rice milling if necessary. His remarks follow a standoff with state rice millers who have halted paddy processing until their demands are addressed.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration faces mounting pressure from farmers and opposition factions accusing it of sluggish paddy procurement efforts as only 2.62 lakh metric tonnes of 16.37 lakh procured have been processed. Farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), have issued an ultimatum, demanding swift government action.

Mann reassures stakeholders that the state has a 'plan-B' to ensure smooth procurement while countering rice millers' concerns about storage space and milling yield. The SKM suspended its protest, awaiting resolution within four days, while Mann vowed ongoing personal oversight of the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)