Farmers Movement Archive

Paddy procurement unsatisfactory in UP, Telangana, says SKM

BATHINDA: The paddy procurement in Uttar Pradesh was disappointing for farmers, the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has claimed. The process started from October 1 had bought in 4.98 lakh metric tonnes, against an announced target of 70 lakh metric tonnes, and instead of the promised 4,000 procurement centres, only 1,712 were running, it alleged. “Farmers are desperately selling their paddy at significantly lower prices in the open market at around Rs 1,250 per quintal, whereas the minimum support price was Rs 19,40 per quintal. While 6,42,224 farmers have registered themselves for procurement benefits, paddy procurement from only 71,352 farmers had taken place,” it claimed, adding that BJP had said that MSP was there, MSP was continuing and MSP would remain in future but it stood exposed fully. BKU Tikait, AIKS, AIKM, AIKMS were engaged in mobilising farmers for Lucknow ‘kisan mahapanchayat’ scheduled for Monday. SKM has also asked citizens to join the dharna at Hansi SP office on Friday in large numbers. SKM said Telangana chief minister, ministers and TRS leaders were insisting on paddy procurement by the Government of India. The state government was also now vocally critical of the Centre’s farm laws. The FCI reneged on its commitment to procure parboiled rice from Telangana in a callous fashion, pushing farmers in losses now, SKM claimed. It said that in a letter on November 12, United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on Right To Food Michael Fakri presented an analysis of the farm laws and raised questions about it with the Union government.

The Times of India

2021-11-19

Chandigarh