Alleging harassment at grain markets, farmers threaten stir

Office-bearers and activists of various outfits working for protecting farmers’ rights have threatened to launch a stir if the alleged harassment of paddy growers on fake excuses was not stopped immediately.

They have urged the Punjab Government to impress upon the personnel in procurement agencies to ensure that crops conforming to required standards were procured and lifted expeditiously so that farmers can get adequate time for preparing fields for the next crop.

A progressive farmer and commission agent, Tadbir Singh of Ghungrana village in Ludhiana district, alleged that the personnel of procurement agencies and private purchasers had been harassing paddy cultivators on the basis of fake excuses, including moisture content and lack of bardana (gunny bags).

“While the government officials have shown inability to provide bardana, rice millers are ready to arrange bardana on payment of Rs 20 per bag,” said Singh, alleging that no procurement had been made at the Latala grain market for over a week. He alleged that 25,000 bagfuls of paddy belonging to his firm was waiting for the resumption of procurement.

Activists of various farm unions, led by Baldev Latala, state committee member of the All-India Kisan Sabha alleged that the administration had failed to meet the expectations of paddy growers, who have been facing harassment.

“Contrary to claims being made by the Centre and the Punjab Government, almost all farmers bringing paddy to grain markets were harassed without any fault,” said Latala. He added that yards of almost all grain markets and purchase centres of the region had been glutted with heaps of paddy, waiting for procurement and stacks of paddy filled bags waiting for lifting. Farmers alleged that they were being compelled to dump their produce at katcha plots near grain markets as yards were already filled with heaps of paddy.

“Having observed the stressed situation at grain markets of the region, a large number of farmers have chosen to further delay harvesting of paddy crops standing at their fields,” said Latala.

Acknowledging shortage of bardana at a majority of grain markets, Latala urged senior functionaries in various procurement agencies to provide adequate bardana to rice millers and commission agents to curb “exploitation” of farmers.