Farmers Movement Archive

Social distancing: Coupon system to be followed in grain markets

Gearing up for the procurement of wheat, starting from April 15, amid the ongoing curfew in the wake of coronavirus, the district administration has started the process of marking grain markets for maintaining social distance among farmers.14 booked for violating curfew in cityThe Commissionerate Police on Saturday booked 14 unidentified persons for violating the curfew norms. Drones have captured images of violators in Kot Kishan Chand Mohalla where vendors were found selling vegetables and fruits by assembling at one place. In Dhan Mohalla, drones captured images of people who were found violating the orders. Besides, the police have also arrested a shopkeeper, Jasveer Pal, of Santokhpura for opening his grocery shop. Besides, the police have also impounded 379 vehicles.Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said the administration had started the process of marking in mandis so that farmers were not allowed to gather at a single place during the procurement season to stop the spread of Covid.He said this was the need of the hour to maintain social distancing while ensuring smooth procurement of grain.Sharma said all produce of the farmer would be procured by the district administration, though in a staggered manner.The DC said the state government, led by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, had already decided to extend procurement till June 15 and had sought incentives from the Centre for delayed transportation to the mandis by the farmers in view of the present crisis.He said all protocols, including provision of sanitisers, handwashing arrangements for the farmers and government employees, would be strictly complied with, adding that a comprehensive security plan for the mandis was already being formulated.The Deputy Commissioner said during the procurement, coupons would be issued by market committees to arhtiyas which would be subsequently given to the farmers.The DC said a farmer would be entitled to take multiple coupons each day or on different days depending on space to avoid rush in the mandis.He said farmers with each coupon would be entitled to bring one trolley having about 50 quintals of wheat.

The Tribune

2020-04-12

Jalandhar