**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution issued a clarification on May 7, 2026, regarding wheat procurement and evacuation in Punjab for RMS 2026-27. The document refutes reports of a "glut-like" situation by highlighting that lifting rates are higher and arrivals lower than the previous year. Key actions include the planned direct delivery of 18 LMT of wheat and the allocation of additional rail specials to expedite mandi decongestion by June 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Comparative Procurement Statistics**
* **Lower Arrivals:** As of May 6, 2026, wheat arrivals in Punjab stand at 122 LMT, which is 3 LMT lower than the 125 LMT recorded during the same period in 2025.
* **Higher Lifting Rates:** Despite lower arrivals, progressive lifting has increased to 78.96 LMT, compared to 75.63 LMT in the previous year, indicating improved movement.
**Direct Delivery and Evacuation Planning**
* **Total Direct Delivery:** A total of nearly 18 LMT is planned for direct delivery from mandis during the current RMS.
* **Monthly Targets:** Approximately 3.5 LMT was moved in April 2026; 6.6 LMT is planned for May 2026, and an additional 8 LMT is expected in June 2026.
**Rail Movement and Resource Allocation**
* **Prioritization of Punjab:** In April 2026, Punjab was allotted 234 out of 413 "wheat specials" (rail movement). In May 2026, 201 out of 354 specials were allotted to the state.
* **National Share:** Punjab accounts for nearly 60% of the total wheat movement planned across India for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
* **Additional Capacity:** To further ease congestion, 100 additional specials (3 LMT) have been allocated in May 2026 to move wheat to Uttar Pradesh and Southern States.
**Impact Analysis**
**Punjab State Authorities**
**Impact**
State authorities requested specific evacuation measures to manage mandi levels. They are seeing a prioritized allocation of 60% of the nation's rail movement for wheat.
**Action Required**
Continue coordinated efforts with central agencies for the speedy evacuation of the remaining 18 LMT planned for direct delivery through June 2026.
**Ministry and Food Corporation of India (FCI)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for the logistical oversight and the deployment of wheat specials to prevent market congestion.
**Action Required**
Closely monitor the ground situation in Punjab and ensure the execution of the 100 additional specials allocated for May 2026.
**Mandis and Local Markets**
**Impact**
Increased evacuation and higher progressive lifting are reducing the "glut" or overcrowding of wheat stock compared to the previous year.
**Action Required**
Facilitate the planned direct delivery mechanisms and rail lifting schedules to ensure continuous decongestion.
Key Entities Referenced
RMS 2026-27 (Rabi Marketing Season): The specific agricultural marketing period during which the wheat procurement and decongestion operations are conducted.
Punjab: The primary state for which wheat procurement, lifting, and evacuation logistics are being managed and clarified.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution: The central government ministry responsible for overseeing food grain procurement and distribution policies.
Food Corporation of India (FCI): The key central agency responsible for monitoring ground-level procurement and coordinating the movement of wheat.
Wheat Specials: Dedicated railway freight units allocated for the large-scale movement and evacuation of wheat to decongest local mandis.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Government Clarifies Position on Wheat
Procurement, Lifting and Evacuation in Punjab
During RMS 2026-27
Posted On: 07 MAY 2026 8:15PM by PIB Delhi
In response to the news article titled “Min blames Central govt for ‘glut-like’ situation in mandis”
published in The Times of India on 07.05.2026. Government Clarifies its Position with the following
factual positions.
1. Lower Wheat Arrivals Compared to Last Year
Total wheat arrivals in Punjab as on 06.05.2026 stand at approximately 122 LMT, as against 125
LMT during the corresponding period of 2025. Thus, arrivals during the current RMS are lower by
around 3 LMT compared to last year.
2. Higher Progressive Lifting Than Last Year
Progressive lifting of wheat from mandis as on 06.05.2026 stands at 78.96 LMT, which is
significantly higher than 75.63 LMT achieved during the corresponding period last year. The
higher evacuation and lifting despite lower arrivals, clearly demonstrate that the movement of
wheat from mandis during the current season is better leading to less glut compared to last year.
3. Enhanced Direct Delivery Planning
Direct delivery operations from mandis have been planned extensively during the current season.
During April 2026, approximately 3.5 LMT wheat was moved through direct delivery mechanism.
Further, direct delivery of around 6.6 LMT has already been planned for May 2026 and an
additional 8 LMT is expected during June 2026. Accordingly, a total direct delivery of nearly 18
LMT is planned from mandis during the current RMS, as requested by state authorities. This
reflects the continuous and coordinated efforts being undertaken for speedy evacuation and
decongestion of mandis.
4. Maximum Allocation of Wheat Specials to Punjab
During April 2026, out of total 413 wheat specials placed for All India movement, 234 specials
were allotted to Punjab alone. Similarly, during May 2026, out of total available 354 wheat
specials, 201 wheat specials have been allotted to Punjab, which constitutes nearly 60% of the
total wheat movement planned across the country. The average movement of wheat from Punjab
during 25-26 is 60% of all India movement and the same level of movement shall continue in thisyear also. Further, the Ministry and FCI is closely monitoring the ground situation in Punjab, and
to further ease the glut from Mandis, 100 (3 LMT) additional specials being allocated to Punjab
during May 2026 for UP and Southern States.
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IA/ ARC
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