Centre's 'ulterior motive' contributing to agrarian crisis in Punjab: MP Boparai

Former managing director (MD) of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh Boparai has said the alleged ulterior intention of the Centre and mismanagement of the Punjab Government were the cumulative factors that were pushing the state towards the agrarian crisis of paddy procurement.

While talking to The Tribune after hearing issues related to procurement and lifting of paddy crop at various grain markets of the district, Boparai alleged that the Union Government had intentionally created surplus rice in the country with the intent to teach farmers a lesson for opposing three farm laws.

“As the world is currently experiencing many armed conflicts, the nation could have found an opportunity to sell farmers’ produce at a premium price, ultimate benefit of which could have percolated to the agriculture sector,” said Boparai regretting that PM Narendra Modi instead of exporting the rice to war-ridden countries, chose to create a surplus that pushed the border state into the present situation, wherein all stakeholders, including growers, rice millers and commission agents, were at the receiving end.

Accusing the AAP-led Punjab Government of exhibiting gross mismanagement, Boparai asserted that paddy procurement necessitated well-coordinated and organised preparations by various departments around 4-5 months ahead of the actual procurement season. Requisition tenders for gunny bags, repair and maintenance of grain markets, meetings with commission agents and rice millers were cited among major avenues of preparation for paddy procurement.

Boparai lamented that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann woke up from his slumber in the second week of October, when he held a meeting with the Agriculture Minister on October 14 when he should have met the Prime Minister for drawing his attention towards the issue a long time ago.

Justifying demands raised by paddy growers of Ludhiana and Malerkotla, Boparai urged the authorities in various procurement agencies to expedite procurement, lifting and payment process without further delay. “In case the administration does not enhance efforts right now, nobody will be able to handle the glut of paddy expected soon,” said the MP.

Malerkotla DC Pallavi said Rs 57.87 crore had been credited to accounts of farmers by Monday against the target of Rs 51.35 crore. 26,816 MT paddy was reported to be procured out of total arrival of 29,298 MT by Monday. The administration said 18,337 MT paddy was lifted within 72 hours of the procurement.