Union sends notices to agents over ‘illegal’ deduction of farmers’ money

Days after the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) spokesperson accused some commission agents of deducting money of paddy farmers illegally in the name of expediting lifting, the Shahabad grain market committee has issued notices to 60 commission agents in the grain market.

Rs 40 per quintal charged

During heavy arrivals and poor lifting of paddy crop

in the grain market, some commission agents and their accountants demanded and deducted Rs 40 a quintal

from farmers whose produce with 17% or less moisture was lying in the grain markets. Rakesh Bains, spokesperson, BKU (Charuni)

The union spokesman Rakesh Bains, who had submitted a complaint, said that during heavy arrivals and poor lifting of paddy crop in the grain market, some commission agents and their accountants demanded and deducted Rs 40 a quintal from farmers whose produce with 17 per cent or less moisture was lying in the grain markets. The money was demanded in the name of getting timely lifting of their produce. The commission agents created pressure on the farmers, which was illegal and against the norms.

“Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has multiple times announced that no money will be deducted from the farmers, but still this was being done. The farmers have told us that they were forced by the commission agents. However, fearing non-cooperation from the commission agents in future, the farmers are not coming forward, but the union has raised the matter with the market committee officials. We have submitted a complaint to the market committee secretary, following which notices have been sent to those concerned,” he added.

Bains said, “Even last month, when we raised the matter for the first time, the market committee secretary had sent notices to the presidents of two commission agent associations and president of rice millers association. They were asked to clear their position, but to no avail. We demand a fair probe and demand action against the commission agents, besides suspension of their licences and legal action.”

Shahabad Market Committee secretary Krishan Kumar Malik said, “Though no farmer has approached us so far with any complaint regarding money being deducted, following a complaint received from BKU spokesman, notices have been issued. There are about 200 commission agents in the grain market of which notices have been given to 60 commission agents in the first phase, while the remaining will be given notices in the next two phases.”

“Those who have been given notices in the first phase have been directed to submit their records by Monday for verification. The records of all commission agents will be checked and appropriate action will be taken against those found deducting any money from the farmers. The commission agents may face cancellation of licence, penalty and FIR,” he added.