Tardy lifting leads to wheat glut in mandis

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh/Karnal, April 22

As wheat arrivals in grain markets in the state pick pace, the lifting of already procured wheat is slowing down, resulting in space crunch for unloading fresh arrivals.

Around 6.52 lakh metric tonnes of wheat was procured in Karnal district while a large chunk of wheat was yet to be lifted. Despite a ban, arrival of wheat from Uttar Pradesh, brought by some traders from Karnal, Gharaunda and Taraori, and harvesting by local farmers contributed to the space crunch.

Raj Kumar, a farmer, said hundreds of wheat bags were lying in the grain market, but nobody cared for these. He admitted that procurement was smooth, but there was no space under sheds. In the Nigdhu and Assandh grain markets, scores of farmers were waiting for space to unload.

Aditya Dahiya, Deputy Commissioner, said procurement agencies had been directed to speed up lifting. “If any farmer faces space crunch due to poor lifting, he should bring it to the notice of the authorities. Action will be initiated against transporters concerned,” he said.

Faridabad/Palwal: With no purchase or procurement in the past few days, mandis were witnessing a glut. Between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of the procured wheat had been lifted till date. “We feel stranded midway in view of the halt in purchase,” said Naresh Kumar of Maujpur village in Faridabad.

Amarnath of Narhawali village claimed that farmers were at the receiving end as the produce had no takers at the MSP. “Like hundreds of others, we may have to sell the produce below the MSP to private buyers,” he said. Officials concerned said fresh purchase would done as per government orders.

Panipat: Of the 2,73,139 metric tonnes of wheat at 13 grain markets and purchase counters in the district, agencies had procured only 1,47,581 metric tonnes.

Halwant Singh Kadyan, former president of the grain market association, said between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the crop had reached markets, but there were problems in lifting. Similar sentiments were echoed by Rajbeer, an ‘arhtiya’ in Shimla Gujran village.

Sonepat: There was a major problem in lifting of purchased stock. There had been no lifting in the Rai grain market for the last 10 days and around 5 lakh bags were lying in the market.

Ved Varat of Bahalgarh and Ram Dhari of Khewra said farmers were unable to unload their produce for want of space. Procurement agencies pointed out shortage of labourers for lifting.

Hisar: Delay in lifting slowed procurement of wheat and mustard in Hisar and Bhiwani districts. A strike by computer operators in revenue offices caused inconvenience to farmers as they were unable to get their land records, which were mandatory for selling mustard yield to Hafed.

Sube Singh, a farmer in the Hisar grain market, said Hafed resumed weighing of mustard on Sunday after around 10 days. “We met the Deputy Commissioner, after which he directed Hafed officials to expedite purchase,” he said.

Grain market association chief Sant Kumar stated that procurement had slowed down due to shortage of gunny bags and slow lifting by transport operators.

Farmers were facing problems in Tosham, Dighawa, Jui, Bahal, Loharu and Bhiwani. Mewa Singh, a farmer leader, said he visited all mandis on Sunday and saw that mustard yield was not being purchased by Hafed.

“It is evident that the state government does not want to procure mustard and has slowed down the process. The government seems to be waiting for May 15, when it will officially stop procurement,” he said.

Kaithal: Huge stocks of wheat accumulated in the new mandi due to speedy arrivals and slow lifting. Krishan Mittal, president of the market body, said around 17 lakh wheat bags were lying in the mandi, of which 12 lakh bags had been purchased.

He said the contractor was able to lift around 50,000 bags a day and it would take months to clear the stock. Baldev Singh of Patti Khot and other local farmers said they were getting payment at least 10 days after sale of produce.

Mewat: Farmers accused their Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh counterparts of selling their produce in Haryana. Hundreds of farmers were reaching Farukhnagar, Ferozpur Jhirka, Nuh and Taoru mandis and selling wheat and mustard at low rates.

They put the blame on the government’s apathy and inefficiency of procurement authorities and mandi agents. Untimely rain played spoilsport as lack of space and drying facilities led to rejection of produce.

Gurugram: While procurement crawled in Gurugram mandis, space crunch was bothering farmers. They allege that after waiting for hours, grain was not being accepted the same day in Sohna and Farukhnagar mandis.

Even if it was let in, it was not getting transported to the warehouse straightaway, resulting in exposure to unpredictable showers. Farmers said the authorities kept non-registered sellers from other states at bay, but lack of facilities was leading to wastage.

Kurukshetra: Farmer Mallu Singh of Kurukshetra’s Bodhi village was worried about timely sale of his wheat in Pipli. Tardy lifting delayed procurement of his produce.

“We have been asked to wait. I do not know how much time it will take as the mandi is already packed with fresh arrivals,” he said.

Kurukshetra DFSO Virender Singh said 4.53 lakh metric tonnes of wheat had been procured and state agencies expected purchase of about 1 lakh metric tonnes in a week.

He said, “Due to rain on April 11, wheat harvesting was delayed. Since farmers started arriving on April 15, heavy procurement caused a glut-like situation. Coordinated efforts are being made to expedite transport.”

Yamunanagar: Agencies procured 1.73 lakh metric tonnes of wheat till Saturday, but only 1.5 lakh metric tonnes was lifted. Surinder Kumar, District Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Controller, said they had directed the contractor to increase labour to speed up lifting.

“Two racks have been loaded and three more will be loaded in the next three or four days,” he said. Jasnish Singh of Nandgarh village said due to space shortage, they were left with no option but to sit and guard the produce.

Ambala: Heavy wheat arrivals, coupled with tardy lifting, choked the grain market in Ambala City. In the absence of adequate space, farmers were forced to offload their produce nearby. Around 9.8 lakh bags of procured wheat were lying in the grain market and HUDA ground on Sunday.

Prem Singh of Rajpura said “I had to offload my produce at the HUDA ground. There are no proper arrangements for toilets and drinking water. Several farmers are aged and it is difficult for them to stay for such long time in this weather.”

Jhajjar: The sluggish pace of lifting of procured wheat in local grain market has become a cause for concern. The arrival of 3.62 lakh quintals of wheat was recorded in the Jhajjar grain market and 3.48 lakh quintals procured. Sources said lifting had sped up in the past couple of days.

Rohtak: Massive arrivals led to pile-ups of wheat. Government agencies provided sacks and other amenities, but lifting was going on at a slow pace. Heaps of wheat were lying all around. ADC Ajay Kumar said nodal officials had been directed to expedite procurement and lifting.

Wheat from Rajasthan confiscated in Karnal

Karnal: Gaurav Kumar Arya, secretary, market committee, Taraori, confiscated three trucks of wheat from a rice mill in Taraori on Saturday. The wheat had been procured from Rajasthan and was being packed in government bags. He suspended the licence of Garg Trading Company, the firm concerned. TNS