Farmers Movement Archive

Protests continue over slow paddy procurement in Haryana

KARNAL: Farmers on Monday blocked several roads, including National Highway-44 and Karnal-Yamunanagar road, outside various grains markets in Karnal district in protest against the delay in paddy procurement. They also demanded relaxation in the moisture content of paddy. After a high voltage drama for an hour on NH-44, the administration managed to convince the protesting farmer to lift the blockade. However, due to the blockade, commuters had to face inconvenience. The paddy procurement had been officially started by the Haryana government from October 3, but there was no relief as a large number of farmers were not able to sell their produce on the second consecutive day. On Monday morning, farmers even locked the main entrance of Karnal new grain market. Similar protests were held at Assandh, Nilokheri and Indri grain markets. Protesting farmers alleged that on the one hand, the government claims to start the paddy procurement, but on the other, the government agencies had failed to procure even 5,000 quintal of paddy in two days in the district. Manjeet Singh, a protesting farmer, said he came to the grain market with paddy five days ago, but his crop had not been procured so far. Sources said only 4,210 quintal of paddy has been procured till Sunday against around 5 lakh quintal of arrival in the district. Sources said rice millers are not supporting the procurement process and have not started the lifting of paddy from the grain markets of Haryana over their demands. That is the major reason behind the delay of the procurement process. An official on condition of anonymity said it will take two or three days more to streamline the procurement process. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said, “We have talked to the rice millers and they have agreed to join the procurement with deductions as per the moisture content. The rice millers were objecting to the new norms in procurement but an assurance has been given to them that the issue will be resolved in the next two days. We will ensure procurement of a large quantity of paddy by Monday night .” Jagdeep Singh Aulakh, Karnal district president of BKU (Charuni), claimed, “The administration has given assurance of smooth procurement and allowed us to bring the produce without schedule system as well. Besides, the rice millers have also assured us to procure paddy up to 22% of moisture content.”

The Times of India

2021-10-05

Chandigarh