Farmers hold protest over cut in paddy payment

Farmers from different parts of the district organised a march to the office of the Deputy Commissioner on Friday and lodged a strong protest against the forcible deducting of a heavy amount from the payment for their paddy procured.

The farmers held a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Rahul and presented him with a memorandum against the deduction. The farmers also presented a list of demands to Harpreet Singh Dhunna, senior leader of AAP and Director, Mandi Board. Gurmesh Singh, former sarpanch of Khakh village, Jaswinder Singh Ahluwalia, state president of the Flood Affected Farmers’ Union, Yadwinder Singh Dhunda, state leader of farmers and others, said in a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner that commission agents in grain markets across the district were deducting Rs 120 to Rs 150 per quintal as lifting expenses.

The farmers claimed that the Deputy Commissioner assured them of conducting an inquiry into the matter. The farmers warned that they would launch an agitation against the administration if they were denied their due. The farmers also submitted a memorandum to the District Food and Supply Controller.