Procurement delays create space shortage in mandis

Despite the district administration’s efforts to streamline the paddy procurement process, farmers in Karnal district continue to face severe challenges due to the slow lifting of crops by procurement agencies. The delays have led to chaos in various grain markets, forcing farmers to unload their paddy on roads and creating long queues, exposing the inefficiencies in the system. Even after a day without procurement, the grain markets remain overwhelmed with unsold paddy, intensifying farmers’ frustrations.

In Nilokheri and Indri grain markets, farmers expressed anger over the lack of space, which has compelled them to dump their produce on roadsides. Similarly, outside the Karnal grain market on National Highway-44, farmers were seen waiting in long queues with their paddy-laden tractors and trolleys, frustrated by the space crunch. They blamed the slow pace of lifting for the overcrowding, making it impossible to unload more paddy.

According to data from October 13, a total of 2,75,499 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy have been procured in various grain markets across the district. The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has purchased 1,78,708 MT, Hafed (60,061 MT), and the Haryana State Warehousing Corporation (36,730 MT). However, only 1,02,353 quintals (approximately 63,448 MT) have been lifted by these agencies, leaving 1,73,146 MT of paddy still lying in the markets.

Farmers have urged authorities to address these issues to prevent further delays.

Rishipal, a farmer, said, “Slow lifting has left no choice for farmers but to dump their produce on roadsides due to the lack of space. I, along with other farmers, had to unload paddy on the roadside.”

Deepak, another farmer waiting outside the Karnal grain market for a gate pass, echoed similar concerns. “We have to wait for hours in long queues, but we still cannot unload our crop due to the slow pace of lifting,” he said.

Nirankar Singh, another farmer, explained, “The administration needs to improve the market facilities. The biggest problem is the delay in lifting, which leaves us waiting for hours with no space in the market.” Sumit Kumar, a farmer from Indri, also stressed the need for better arrangements to ensure timely lifting and smooth procurement.

Although the Union government, at the state’s request, pre-scheduled paddy procurement to start from September 27, the lifting process was delayed due to a strike by rice millers. This strike affected the collection of paddy for custom-milled rice (CMR). After an assurance from caretaker Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the rice millers called off their strike and began registration for CMR.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh said instructions had been given to procurement agencies to speed up the lifting process. “Additional Deputy Commissioner Yash Jaluka has been monitoring the overall procurement and lifting process, and officials have been appointed at the mandi level to check for discrepancies,” the DC said.