Paddy predicament
THE Centre’s assurance to Punjab farmers on Sunday that "every single grain" of paddy will be procured could not have come at a more critical time. Tensions have been simmering in the state, with mandis overflowing with paddy and farmers facing delays in government procurement at the promised Minimum Support Price (MSP). Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi’s statement on adequate storage capacity and a commitment to timely action signals an effort to quell fears, but the broader issue remains: a chronic mistrust between the Centre and Punjab’s agricultural communities.
The farmers’ scepticism is understandable. For over a month, they have borne the brunt of political brinkmanship between the BJP-led Centre and the AAP government in Punjab. Due to the procurement lag, and with the rabi crop sowing season looming, many farmers had no choice but to sell paddy below the MSP, deepening their financial woes. It is high time that the government’s pledges go beyond promises to effective, transparent action that can build genuine trust. The farmers deserve better than becoming collateral in an ongoing power play that repeatedly sees their interests sidelined.
The wave of protests that erupts almost every harvest season, bringing life to a standstill with road and rail blockages, is a symptom of this chronic neglect. Each protest is followed by predictable events: high-profile meetings, assurances of resolution and announcements of new policies. Yet, these promises are left unfulfilled as the next season’s problems arise. This cycle, fuelled by ad hoc responses from both Central and state governments, has only exacerbated farmers’ frustrations and contributed to the public’s mounting fatigue. If the Centre can indeed deliver on its procurement promises at MSP and address systemic issues that delay and disrupt the process, it could replace lingering distrust with stability.
