Chandigarh, Oct 13 (IANS) Procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana has crossed the five million tonne mark, officials said here Monday.While Punjab recorded procurement of 3.63 million tonnes till Sunday evening, Haryana recorded over 1.54 million tonnes.

The procurement of paddy started in both states Oct 1 and officials feel that a bumper crop is expected this season.

In Punjab, six government agencies, including five from the state government are engaged in the procurement process.

Food and supplies officers said a payment of Rs.18.18 billion had already been made to farmers by the procuring agencies. The agencies have been told to make payments to farmers within 48 hours of purchase of paddy.

The Punjab government has offered a bonus of Rs.300 per quintal to farmers over the minimum support price of Rs.850 per quintal announced by the central government.

Grain markets in border districts of Ferozepur and Amritsar have so far recorded the maximum arrival of paddy and 1,622 procurement centres have been set up all over Punjab this season.

In Haryana, out of the 1.54 million tonnes of procured paddy, the government agencies have procured nearly one million tonnes. The remaining has been procured by private rice shellers.