Bathinda, Sept. 24 -- A week after the procurement of non-basmati varieties commenced, most of the districts from the southern Punjab are yet to see its arrival in the mandis.

Information gathered from the field on Tuesday stated that while raw basmati has started hitting the mandis, harvesting of paddy is expected to gain momentum from next week.

Official sources said that all arrangements are in place for smooth procurement of the paddy and the district authorities are making all efforts to curtail the environment hazardous activity of burning of crop residue after harvesting the crop.

Mansa is the first district in the south Malwa region to register paddy arrival.

District mandi officer (DMO) of Mansa, Aman Mangla said 18 tonne pad...