In view of early arrival of paddy in the mandies of Haryana and Punjab, Centre has approved the commencement of procurement operations for rice immediately in both these States from today. Consumer Affairs Ministry said, this will ensure that farmers are facilitated in selling their produce at Minimum Support Price expeditiously.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Ministry said, the Kharif Marketing Season for paddy is already scheduled to commence in all the procuring States from 1st October this year and State Procuring Agencies including FCI are in a state of readiness for smoothly undertaking procurement operations. It said, due to early arrival of paddy in the mandies of Haryana and Punjab, the government has approved the commencement of procurement operations in these two states from today.</span><br />