Farmers protest delayed paddy procurement in Karnal, Indri, Assandh grain markets

Expressing resentment over delay in the smooth procurement of paddy in grain markets, farmers staged a protest in Karnal, Indri, and Assandh on Monday. A group of farmers locked the main gate of the market committee in Indri, while another group staged a dharna outside the market committee office in Karnal. Besides, a group of farmers blocked the Karnal-Assandh road, demanding the smooth procurement of paddy.

Under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), farmers staged a dharna at the Karnal grain market. After protesting at the site, they marched to the market committee office, voicing their anger and raising slogans against the administration. Despite efforts by officials to pacify them, the protesters remained adamant and continued their dharna.

Rattan Mann, president of BKU, said the farmers were upset over the government’s rule, as per which paddy with up to 17 per cent moisture content would be procured at the minimum support price (MSP), while paddy with higher moisture content would not receive the MSP.

“The paddy meets the required moisture standards, but despite this, it is not being procured, forcing us to protest,” said Mann.

However, after assurances from market committee secretary Sanjeev Sachdeva and District Marketing Enforcement Officer (DMEO) Saurav Chaudhary, the farmers lifted their dharna. However, they threatened to hold a mahapanchayat on Wednesday at the Karnal grain market if smooth procurement did not take place.

Sachdeva said the procurement was already going on, adding that it would be expedited.