Food grain states Punjab and Haryana have procured over 86 lakh tonnes paddy this season, food and supplies officials of both states said Thursday. In Punjab, government agencies and private millers procured nearly 57 lakh tonnes paddy, officials said.

 

 Over 92.7 percent of the paddy arrival has been procured by government agencies while the rest has been procured by private rice shellers and traders. Ferozepur, Patiala and Moga districts were leading in paddy procurement, the officials said.

 

 In Haryana, nearly 30 lakh tonnes of paddy has so far arrived in the various grain markets, officials said. This is higher than the paddy arrival of nearly 27 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. Kurukshetra, Karnal and Kaithal districts were leading in paddy arrival.

 

 Procurement of paddy in both states started Oct 1.