Chandigarh, Nov. 7 -- With the kharif procurement season at its fag end, the Punjab government is awaiting a response from Union ministry of food and public distribution for relaxation of procurement norms for paddy crop, which suffered extensive damage during floods, incessant rains in August and September when the crop was at the maturing stage. Subsequent diseases like loose smut and yellow smut have also affected the yield.

According to initial estimates by the state food and civil supplies department, this year the extent of damaged and discoloured grain is up to 33.44% against the permissible limit of 5%. The delay has forced Punjab chief secretary KAP Sinha to write a letter to the Centre requesting an immediate decision on the re...