Wheat procurement in full swing in Punjab, ETV Bharat reports from 'Ground Zero'

Wheat procurement is in full swing in Punjab, with 50 to 60 percent of the crop being purchased. The procurement has turned a challenge for the Captain Amarinder Singh-led government.

Chandigarh (Punjab): Wheat procurement is in a full swing in Punjab, with 50 to 60 percent of the crop being purchased. Amidst a surge in the Coronavirus cases, wheat procurement has turned into a major challenge for the government.

However, the government had made all necessary arrangements at all mandis (agricultural markets) prior to procurement. Covid appropriate behavior which includes wearing masks and sanitizers has also been made mandatory.

To get to know more about the details, the ETV Bharat team visited various mandis and prepared a ground report on the situation.

At Khanna Mandi touted as Asia's biggest food market

The Punjab government had issued clear instructions that farmers should wear masks and that trolleys would be allowed into the mandis, only after they are completely sanitized.

However, at Khanna Mandi which is touted to be the biggest food market in the continent, a totally different picture is seen.

Farmers are entering the market and doing their usual business without wearing masks nor has the area been sanitized.

Corona norms flouted in Bathinda's Dana Mandi

The guidelines issued by the Government of Punjab in Bathinda's Dana Mandi are not being followed, especially amidst an explosion in Covid-19 cases.

Despite the market committee providing face masks and sanitizers to all those working in the mandi, the workers can still be seen working without masks in the open market.

Covid19 norms flouted openly in Jalandhar

In Jalandhar's Dana Mandi, the ground reality is something else. There is neither drinking water nor a proper sanitization system being followed.

Though the Chandigarh administration claims to have strictly implemented all the Covid guidelines, the reality is totally different. Also, no scanners have been installed to monitor the body temperatures of employees working in the mandi. Some of the workers were also seen moving without masks.