The Center on Thursday suspended the procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana until October 11, “due to delay in the maturity of the crop due to recent heavy rains”, sparking quick unrest amongst farmers.
The procurement of paddy for the 2021-22 kharif advertising season in Punjab was to start from October 1, whereas in Haryana it was to formally start from September 25.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Thursday suspended the procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana on account of “heavy rains”.
In an announcement, the Union Food Ministry mentioned: “It is reported that as a result of latest heavy rains in Punjab and Haryana, there was a delay within the maturation of paddy. Keeping in view the pursuits of the farmers and to keep away from any inconvenience to them, the Department of Food and Public Distribution below the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has determined that the procurement of paddy below MSP will likely be performed within the state with impact from 11 October 2021. will begin within the states. Punjab and Haryana”.
It directed all companies to start out procurement from October 11 in each the states.
Responding to the assertion, Haryana BKU president Gurnam Singh Chaduni introduced that farmers would begin cordoning off the residences of all ruling BJP and JJP leaders within the state from October 2 if the procurement didn’t begin from October 1.
He mentioned that the federal government advises the farmers to start out sowing of paddy from June 15. “The crop is ready for harvesting by September 15. Paddy has already arrived in large quantities in the mandis,” Chaduni mentioned, including that farmers shouldn’t be harassed without delay. When lots of them have already suffered losses each within the fields and within the mandis on account of adversarial climate circumstances.
Meanwhile, BKU (Dakunda) basic secretary Jagmohan Singh termed the Centre’s transfer as anti-farmer. He mentioned that even though it rains ceaselessly within the state until the primary week of October, procurement was by no means postponed earlier.
“Officially, the monsoon interval ends by September 30, however there are cases when your complete first week of October witnessed heavy rains. But the procurement course of was by no means postponed because the farmers themselves waited for the crop to dry up after which introduced it to the mandis.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene and direct the Union Food Ministry to withdraw its letter in order that the procurement of paddy can begin from October 1.
Channi mentioned that Punjab is all set to start out the procurement course of and now these directions will unnecessarily create confusion and uncertainty within the minds of farmers, who will begin bringing their crops to varied mandis throughout the state from tomorrow (October 1). Will give
He mentioned the choice to postpone procurement on the eleventh hour would additional anger amongst farmers, who had been already agitating in opposition to three central agricultural legal guidelines.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
