Paddy procurement crisis: Punjab farmers, arhtiyas call off protest after CM Mann’s assurance
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha-led front of farmers, commission agents and rice millers on Saturday decided to call off its protest against the alleged tardy procurement of paddy.
The move followed a meeting of SKM representatives with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who assured them of smooth procurement of the entire produce of the farmers.
The Chief Minister reportedly sought two days’ time from the unions to resolve all issues concerning the procurement. His meeting with the farmer union leaders, commission agents and leaders of mandi labour unions lasted a little over two hours. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and Food and Supply Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak were also present.
Farm leader Balbir Singh Rajewal announced to end the protest after SKM representatives held talks with CM Mann.
CM Mann had on Friday invited the representatives of various unions and associations for a meeting at 4 pm on Saturday.
Earlier, representatives of various unions held a two-hour long meeting at Kisan Bhawan here.
Paddy procurement in the state remains tardy, with just 14.30 per cent of the total paddy arrivals being lifted from mandis. This has led to a glut in all mandis of the state, with 18.31 lakh metric tonnes of paddy (LMT) arriving in mandis and only 2.62 LMT being lifted.
Earlier in the day, Food and Civil Supply minister Lal Chand Kataruchak said that the state government was doing all within its means for the benefit of farmers, rice millers and commission agents. “Their demands are basically from the Centre. I believe the Centre is biased against Punjab, which is creating problems in paddy procurement this year,” he said.
Kataruchak said that the state government was in regular touch with FCI officials for the movement of stored foodgrains from godowns in the state, so as to create space for the rice to be milled from this year’s paddy. “The movement of grains is higher by 4 LMT as compared to previous years. By the end of this month, 13 LMT will be moved out and 9.50 LMT has already been moved out,” he said.
