Chandigarh, July 4 -- With Punjab preparing to procure a record 190 lakh metric tonnes of paddy in the upcoming Kharif marketing season, the state's Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak has issued strict directives to the department for ensuring foolproof arrangements by September 15 - a full two weeks ahead of the procurement season scheduled to begin on October 1.
Significantly, in a clear message underscoring the urgency and scale of the exercise, the Minister has directed that no officer will be allowed to proceed on Ex-India leave between September 15 and November 15 - the peak period of procurement operations. The move is aimed at maintaining administrative readiness and accountability throughout th...