Found slow lifting of wheat at some places: Pb Vigilance

Punjab Vigilance Bureau has found slow lifting of wheat at some places during surprise checking of grain markets in the state, an official said today.
On the instructions of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the bureau formed special teams and conducted surprise checking of grain markets across the state to monitor the ongoing wheat procurement process, besides ensuring that farmers do not face any difficulty in selling their crops, Chief Director, Vigilance, B K Uppal said in a release issued here.
The vigilance teams in their feedback reported that lifting of wheat was a bit slow at some places, he said.

He said instructions had been issued to the SSPs concerned of various ranges and other officials to conduct surprise checking of grain markets to monitor the ongoing wheat procurement and get feedback from farmers and aarthias (commission agents).
Uppal said the teams had been also instructed to give a report regarding any irregularity in the purchase, payment and lifting process of the wheat or lack of any basic facility.
He said the vigilance teams conducted surprise checking of 34 grain markets in Ludhiana and 11 grain markets in Rupnagar.

He further added that Patiala range teams conducted surprise checking of 27 grains markets of Patiala district, 9 of Nabha, 33 of Barnala district and 23 of Sangrur district.

Similarly, the teams also conducted surprise checking at Jhunir, Sardulgarh and Boha grain markets in Mansa district and eight grain markets in Bathinda district, besides visiting 18 grain markets in Faridkot district, he said.
Uppal aid vigilance teams also conducted special checking of main grain markets in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Jalandhar districts.
The Chief Director Vigilance said the wheat procurement process was found running smoothly and the department concerned had been asked to check if any irregularities were found.
He further said the lifting process at some places had been found slow because of the bad weather conditions during last few days.

Uppal said during most of these surprise visits, farmers, labourers and aarthias expressed "satisfaction" over arrangements done by the Punjab government to ensure smooth wheat procurement.