Phillaur MLA visits mandis, takes up paddy procurement issues

In response to growing concerns from the farming community over delay in the paddy procurement process, MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary visited grain markets in Phillaur, Goraya and Lasara to inspect the procurement and lifting of paddy here on Tuesday. During his visit, he criticised the Punjab government for its procurement management, highlighting significant delays and inadequate storage, which are causing distress among farmers.

It’s high time the government took a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. Farmers need quick and reliable procurement services, timely payments and sufficient storage to avoid unnecessary losses. Without these assurances, the very foundation of Punjab’s agriculture sector is at risk. MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary

MLA Chaudhary, interacting with farmers and mandi officials, said that the farmers faced financial strain and uncertainty instead of festive cheer as the paddy lay in grain markets well beyond the 72-hour period stipulated by the government, he said.

Farmers in Phillaur and other mandis informed him that their harvests have not been lifted for 15 to 20 days. This extended wait not only congests the grain markets but also puts farmers at a significant disadvantage, as the harvested grain, when left exposed, becomes vulnerable to weight loss due to moisture loss over time. With the delayed lifting, farmers are concerned that by the time the grain is finally weighed and taken for storage, they could face a considerable loss in income.

“We see an acute shortage of proper storage facilities, which is why harvested paddy is piling up in these grain markets,” the MLA remarked, adding that timely payments has become another sore point for farmers.

He urged the Punjab government to step up and address the issues facing the farmers without delay. “It’s high time the government took a proactive approach rather than a reactive one. Farmers need quick and reliable procurement services, timely payments and sufficient storage to avoid unnecessary losses. Without these assurances, the very foundation of Punjab’s agriculture sector is at risk,” he added.