Politics is affecting the paddy procurement in Majha area as farmers’ organisations and the Congress have alleged that the ruling SAD MLAs are using tactics to ensure paddy belonging to their supporters only is lifted. With the glut of paddy being reported at grain markets of border districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran, the opposition claims partisan politics of the ruling party is adding to the farmers’ woes.

The Congress and farmers have threatened to launch an agitation if the SAD legislators do not stop from pressurising the officials through their agents to lift the paddy belonging to their supporters. “After I informed District Food Controller Anjuman Bhaskar about the issue, she visited Attari grain market on Saturday,” said Jamhuri Kissan Sabha leader Rattan Singh Randhawa.

Noting that distress sale is being reported throughout the region due to non-lifting of paddy, Randhawa said all markets have been affected and farmers are forced to sell the produce at Rs 800 per quintal, even though the minimum support price fixed by the government is Rs 900 per quintal.

The situation is bit different at Harike, the gateway to Majha, where the paddy procurement is slightly better. “Farmers in border areas are worst affected and officials are paying no heed,” said Randhawa, adding that the situation will turn critical next week when Pusa-1121 Basmati, sown late, hits the market. “We held a protest march at Attari and Ajnala on Saturday against the ruling party,” he said.

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) also held a massive protest at Kalanaur in Gurdaspur yesterday and slammed the SAD-BJP government for its failure to lift paddy in time, resulting in distress sale. Former Congress MLA from Fatehgarh Churian Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa demanded resignation of CM PS Badal and Mandi Board Chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal. Former Congress MLA from Beas, Jasbir Singh Dimpa, has asked the farmers to observe ‘Black Diwali’ to protest against the poor procurement of paddy.

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