Chandigarh, Oct. 3 -- Chief minister Bhagwant Mann has urged the Centre to urgently clear foodgrain stocks from the state before the peak arrival of paddy, stressing that adequate storage space must be ensured to facilitate smooth procurement and prevent any difficulties for farmers in mandis.

In a letter to Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi, the chief minister sought immediate movement of 6 lakh metric tonne (LMT)) rice by October 10 and 15 LMT wheat during October, pointing out that nearly 40 LMT wheat stocks are occupying space at rice mills and mandi yards, with around 17 LMT still lying there. He stressed that these stocks must be cleared to create adequate space for incoming paddy and e...