Lohian Khas (Jalandhar), January 29
A large number of farmers of villages in the Mand area and dependants of some NRIs have been left in the lurch by certain commission agents, who have allegedly refused to pay them for their produce and return the money deposited with them by dependants of NRIs.
These commission agents have reportedly been operating in the area for the past over 15 years and had earned the faith of farmers and the dependants of NRIs.
Farmers’ complaints to the market committee authorities have failed to yield any result as the commission agents have not appeared before the committee on one pretext or the other.
Mr Rahul Tiwari, SDM, Shahkot, in his report to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, has stated that the reluctance of the commission agents to appear before the market committee hinted that they might have duped the farmers.
The SDM has recommended the cancellation of the licence of the firm — M/s Ravi Kumar, Anil Kumar — in the wake of the allegations made by the farmers.
“Yes, prima facie the commission agents seem to be guilty. However, we have sought an opinion from the District Attorney,” said Mr Tiwari. The SDM has also stated that the commission agents were trying to sell their property and that legal opinion should be sought so as this could be prevented.
The farmers alleged that an amount of more than Rs 1.5 crore in lieu of their produce, besides the bonus announced by the government for paddy had been gobbled up by the commission agents.
Garib Dass, a former Sarpanch of Mundi Kasu village, said he had left the hope of getting back his amount of about Rs 10 lakh from the commission agents, to whom he had sold his produce. Similarly, Gian Singh, a resident of Ratwal, alleged that he had not been paid Rs 6 lakh. Besides, his NRI son-in-law Amrik Singh was waiting to get back his principal amount of Rs 2 lakh. Other farmers who have
allegedly been duped include Ajit Singh (Khosa village), Kuldip Singh (Nasirpur), Kuldip Singh (Khosa), Kulwant Singh and Bachan Singh of Murajwala and Joginder Singh of Sabuwal.
Mr Tarsem Peter, general secretary of the Pendu Khet Mazdoor Union, and the Kirti Kisan Union have alleged that the commission agents firm has duped a large number of farmers of the Mand area. “Some victims are not even coming forward for fear of high connections of such people. Some farmers are even suffering from depression for this reason, ” said Mr Peter.
