21 October, 2024;Farmers in Punjab have intensified their protests against the state government, expressing frustration over delays in the paddy procurement process. On Monday, a large group of farmers blocked the Jalandhar-Ludhiana highway, bringing traffic to a halt, as they voiced their grievances regarding the lack of action in the mandis (grain markets).
One protesting farmer explained the dire situation: “Paddy is not being purchased in the mandi. It has been 15 days and not even a kilo of paddy has been bought. The paddy is not being lifted, and the government has no clear policy for this.”
The delayed procurement has created significant hardships for the farmers, who rely on timely purchases by the government to prevent their harvested crops from spoiling. Many of them have been waiting for over two weeks without any progress, leading to growing anxiety and discontent.
The paddy procurement process is a critical issue for the farming community in Punjab, especially during the harvest season. Under normal circumstances, the state government, through its agencies, purchases paddy from farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to ensure they get a fair price for their produce. However, the current delays in the mandis have left farmers in a difficult position, with many fearing financial losses.
The protestors have demanded that the government immediately resolve the issues with the procurement process and ensure that their paddy is purchased without further delay. They are calling for clearer policies and action to streamline the system and prevent such disruptions in the future.
While the blockade on the highway has caused inconvenience to commuters, the farmers insist that they have no other option but to protest. Their frustration is fueled by what they see as the government’s inaction and failure to address the growing crisis.
As tensions escalate, the state government will need to act swiftly to address the farmers’ concerns and restore normalcy to the procurement process. With the harvesting season in full swing, any further delays could have serious consequences for Punjab’s agriculture sector and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers across the state.
