Farmers Movement Archive

Wheat procurement stopped in 8 Haryana district

Tribune News ServiceAmbala, April 30Wheat procurement has been stopped in the district following a letter issued by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to stop issuing gate passes in eight districts including Ambala.As per the letter, eight districts Ambala, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panchkula and Rewari have witnessed over 125 per cent procurement during rabi season 2021-22, when compared with rabi season 2020-21.Following that, the government has decided to stop procurement. Hence, no gate passes should be issued for wheat procurement in these districts. Rajiv Sharma, a farmer from Hasanpur village who had sown wheat on five acres, said, “I had sown the late variety after harvesting potato crop. Today, I reached Talheri Gujran grain market with produce from three acres, but I was told that the government has stopped procurement. The market committee official has assured that they would purchase it on May 4. The government should procure the produce. Otherwise, we will be forced to sell it at cheaper rates.”Duni Chand, president, Commission Agent Association, Ambala City grain market, said, “The arrivals from Punjab were very low last year in city grain market due the lockdown, but this year, the arrivals from Punjab were good due to which the grain market has witnessed heavy arrivals. The majority of the produce has reached the grain market and very few farmers who had sown late varieties after harvesting potato and sugarcane crops are left. The government should continue procurement up to May 15 at least.”Asha Rani, secretary, Ambala City Grain Market, said, “No gate passes were issued today following government orders. Around 97 per cent of the produce has already reached and no farmer approached us today for gate pass. Yesterday, only 10 gate passes were issued. Whatever directions we will receive, those will be implemented.”Rakesh Bains, spokesman, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni), said, “On the one hand, the government claims that it procures the produce of farmers registered on ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal and then, it has stopped procurement. Around 10 per cent produce is still unsold. If the pending crop is not procured on MSP from May 4, the union will be forced to launch an agitation.”District Food and Civil Supplies Controller, Rajeshwar Moudgil, said, “I have sought a complete report regarding the arrivals, gate passes issued and pending stocks from the District Marketing Enforcement Officer. After getting the details, we will discuss the matter with the directorate for further action.”

The Tribune

2021-05-01