One Flag, One Nation Undivided For which We Stand Together
Captain of India and Captain of Punjab vowed not one grain of wheat would be wasted in the harvesting of Khariff crop. So the Captains roped in a Veteran General who went to work.
Punjab and Central Govt thereafter worked in tandem to harvest the crop. You probably know Punjab contributes 35% of India’s wheat.
Usual seasonal migrant labour from other States was missing. To compensate the strength, people under MNREGA were mobilised by Centre.
Fleets of combined harvesters were mobilised and escorted in convoys from elsewhere to Punjab’s fields. FCI was mobilised.
The State Government created 2000 odd additional mandis to reduce crowding and improve social distancing.
Central Armed Police Firces personnel worked with local police to control convoys of thousands of trucks and tractors conveying wheat from fields to mandi/arat and beyond to godowns.
Harvesting started on 15 Apr and is continuing. They are actually lighting up the fields at night to allow harvesting on 24×7 basis.
The focus is to quickly complete harvesting and disband the workforce to reduce chances of disease spread.
Net result? Last year Punjab harvested 1.3 Million Tonnes (MT) all thru April. Some more in May. This year, from 15-26 Apr i.e. in 9 days only, Punjab has harvested 2.8 MT. Stunning! Not only that, Punjab would have all time high record wheat production this year.
FCI is present at all the mandis and arats, procuring and immediately paying for the wheat as it is coming in. Putting money in the hands of the farmers, encouraging them to harvest even more quickly.
Story doesn’t end there. Punjab Govt is working with FCI and Indian Railways to simultaneously take the grain away from Punjab. Because there is no place to store all that grain in Punjab itself.
So Indian Railways have created special Annapoorna Trains. Each train is an amazing 2.4 km long, comprising 84 wagons with multiple engines and radio communication between driver and guard.
Best of Indian Rail Drivers and guards from the Shatbadis and Rajdhanis are operating the Annapoornas. These trains are taking all the wheat away from Punjab to FCI godowns around the country.
In April last year IR transported some 2 MT of food grains. This April they have already crossed 4 MT and April isn’t over yet.
All of the above is being managed by special teams comprising district magistrates, Police SPs, Central Police Forces, Indian Railways and Food Corporation of India all putting in their effort under the overall watchful eyes of MHA.
The entire Orchestra is being coordinated and conducted by Lt General TS Sgergil, Retd presently serving as advisir to the Chief Minister of Punjab. Brilliant example of amazing achievement of a State government working in tandem with the Central government. Remember both the Governments are of different parties.
However here is the example of allegiance to one National Flag, one Nation Undivided for which we stand together.
