Panjab Leads in Record Wheat Procurement; Key Rail Project Approved

Supported by bumper production and state-level bonuses, the Indian government wheat procurement for the 2025-26 winter marketing season reached 29.7 million tonnes (MT) as of 22 May. This is the highest since the 2021-22 season. Panjab led with 11.9 MT, followed by Madhya Pradesh (7.77 MT), Haryana (7.14 MT), Rajasthan (1.83 MT), and Uttar Pradesh (1.0 MT). Union government’s procurement targets were set at 31.2 MT, but Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi indicated actual purchases could exceed 32 MT ensuring ample stocks for food distribution and market interventions. Reflecting increased output, grain market prices of major food crops except wheat remained below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Madhya Pradesh offered a bonus of INR 175 per quintal and Rajasthan INR 150 per quintal over the MSP of INR 2,425 per quintal, encouraging higher farmer participation. Panjab did not offer a bonus. Meanwhile, India's bumper crop, estimated at 117 MT by the US Department of Agriculture, has prompted flour millers to request the govt. to lift the wheat export ban imposed in 2022. Millers argue that ample grain stocks justify resuming exports of wheat products. Separately, to leverage booming property markets, the Panjab govt. transferred eight villages—Manakpur, Khera Gajju, Urna, Changera, Ucha Khera, Gurditpura, Hadayatpura, and Lehlan—from Rajpura in Patiala district to Banur Sub-Tehsil in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS Nagar) district, simplifying land transactions and enhancing property values. On 20 May, the state govt. announced these villages now fall under SAS Nagar’s jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Indian National Congress’ Patiala Member of Parliament Dr Dharamvira Gandhi's project to connect Chandigarh with Rajpura and further south Panjab through a 24 km railway line was approved this week when Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu approved the project (earlier coverage).