Punjab CM Mann's 'blunder' led farmers into crisis: Partap Bajwa
Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Thursday called for immediate intervention from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, holding him accountable for the paddy crisis caused by the Aam Aadmi Party-led government's ill-advised promotion of certain paddy varieties, including PR-126.
As rice millers across the state refused to accept PR-126 and other hybrid varieties, the crisis in grain markets has deepened. “Paddy lifting has slowed to a crawl, leaving farmers stranded in mandis for days, forced to endure sleepless nights,” Bajwa said, pointing to the growing distress among farmers.
He said the AAP government aggressively pushed the PR-126 variety ahead of the transplant season, claiming it would save water and electricity.
Despite these assurances, rice millers have refused the crop, citing concerns over a lower than expected out-turn ratio (post-milling yield). The Punjab Government has since ordered retesting of the variety to clarify the yield, but farmers remain at risk.
To make matters worse, rice millers and commission agents were on strike, further disrupting the paddy procurement process across the state.
The commission agents, who play a crucial role in facilitating procurement and payments, have raised grievances regarding delayed payments and logistical challenges, leaving farmers caught in a bureaucratic deadlock.
The ongoing strike has not only slowed the pace of procurement but also paralyzed mandis, leaving farmers stuck with their produce in dire conditions.
Bajwa urged CM Mann to take immediate steps to restore normalcy in the procurement process, hold consultations with stakeholders, and provide relief to farmers left in the lurch.
