The Centre has lauded the efforts of Punjab government in further improving the procurement system in the state and strengthening the nation’s food security.
An official spokesperson said Union Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan, in a letter to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, has conveyed the appreciation of Union government and acknowledged the recent steps taken by the state government for bringing transparency in the procurement process especially during Rabi Marketing Season.
Paswan also assured the CM that he was getting issues raised by Punjab examined by his ministry and by the Food Corporation of India. The issues related to relaxation from mandatory moisture gain realised on the storage of wheat stored for the purpose of National Food Security Act, cost of gunny bags and interest charge payable by Union government, the spokesperson said.
Amarinder Singh led government, fulfilling a key promise made in the election manifesto, abolished illegal truck cartels.
As part of the rationalisation process during Rabi Marketing Season, the government also capped the maximum premium over basic transportation rate at 120 per cebt to prevent unwarranted expenditure leading to saving of over Rs 175 crore.
Further, the state Cabinet recently approved a decision for Kharif Marketing Season to seek Bank guarantee from Rice Sheller to safeguard the interests of the government.
In addition, the state government has decided to monitor the CIBIL score, a three-digit number which summarises a person’s entire credit history, of the miller to gauge the financial health before allotment.