Despite so called procurement commencement from April 1,the procurement is still in doldrums by April 17.
Raghbir Singh Brar
Faridkot
Though the statement had announced the procurement of wheat from April 1,when the harvesting is usually nowhere in sight,yet by April 17,it is in doldrums.The farmers wonder whether the produce would be lifted without any valucut or they have incur losses.
principally,the union government, with alledly any impartiality, must announce the relaxation to all the states,hit by the bad weather before the procurement season assessing the damage in the standing crop.
The bad weather had led to the lackluster,shivelled grains and other damage to the quality of the wheat grains,but both state government and union,woken up late in Punjab.
“The assessment could have been done on the standing crop when it was badly affected by the unfavourable weather conditions, why now when the farmers have harvested the crop,”said Sukhjinder Singh Brar,a farmer from village Niamiwala.
“The union government granted relaxation to the neighbouring states,without any assessment, but Punjab is yet to get the centre’s nod.We have been asked to lift the produce,but not making bills till the centre’s nod,said a commission agent from Kotkapura wishing not to be named.
Some farmers are selling the produce to the private dealers as the rice mills have been allowed to provide space.
The so called millers are alledly buying the produce with 1 kg cut at their places.
Some others said that they directly unloaded the produce to the flour mills owned by their commsion agents with 1 kg cut per quintal and are happy with that as they had not to sit in the grain markets.
This is allegedly a step towards doing away the regular grain markets.
Vijay kalra,the state president of Federation of Ahartia Association Punjab also clarified that so for the approval of relaxation is awaited and the letter of recommendation has been written by the state FCI office to its head office Delhi and Regional office Noida.
Battered by the inclement weather,small farmers and small commission agents,whose unions are vocal againt the respective governments,are at receiving end while the big farmers and traders are alledly trying to make most of the delayed or marathon procurement. The more the farmers have been made to wait in the grain markets, the more loopholes open up to exploit them.