Punjab agencies procure 3.44 lakh tonnes of paddy, Rs 188 crore paid to farmers: Minister

Chandigarh, Oct 5 (UNI) Punjab's state procurement agencies have purchased 3.44 lakh metric tonnes of paddy out of 3.83 lakh tonnes that have arrived in grain markets so far, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said on Monday. Reviewing procurement arrangements at the Kharar grain market, Kataruchak said the government had paid Rs 188 crore to farmers and would accelerate the pace of lifting in the coming days. He said there was no shortage of gunny bags and the state had made arrangements to handle the procurement season. Punjab expects to procure about 180 lakh metric tonnes of…