Farmers curse government, bemoan fate
From Gobind Thukral
Tribune News Service

KHANNA, Oct 13 — These days one of the biggest foodgrain market in Asia is a mute witness to the despair and anger of the paddy growers. Every nook and corner of this bustling market, spread to three sprawling yards and countless rice shellers, is full of paddy. Haggard farmers sit on their haunches bemoaning their fate and cursing the rulers.

As one moved around, the angry farmers waiting for days, spread venom on the officials. "Cut us into pieces or shoot us down. But do not treat us so shabbily. We had voted the Akalis to power thinking that they would be our best friends. They have cheated us", bursts out Karnial Singh, a 65 year-old farmer donning a blue turban. He claims to have been part of several Akali morchas. And, there is Pritam Singh, a tired and woeful middle-aged farmer from Salana, the ancestral village of the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh. He had been there with trailer full of paddy for eight days. "For one excuse or the other, officials have not purchased and the millers finally paid just Rs 400 per quintal and lifted my best stock", says another angry farmer, Charan Singh of Ramgarh.

The same story repeated by each grower except a few lucky ones whose stocks fetched the minimum support price of Rs 440 per quintal for average variety and Rs 470 per quintal for A grade paddy. There is Subedar Tehl Singh to tell his tale. " I have been here for ten days. My son is ill in hospital and I need money. But look no one cares. I shall move to another market where I am told the FCI is more careful", the former Army man says. In fact, he virtually gheraoed the Food Department officials and forced them to commit purchase. But Ajmer Singh, (70) was not so lucky. He had already sold his paddy at Rs 250 per quintal. He agreed that rains had discoloured the stock. But it was not bad. "The millers and the Food Department officials have simply cheated me", Ajmer Singh said right on the face of the officials who made a hasty retreat.The same was the tale of Bachan Singh of Jandiali village. He had to sell some 75 quintals of good quality paddy at Rs 407 per quintal.

And, what do the commission agents, the friends and foes of the farmers say. There was near unanimity and they all condemned the officials and the Food and Supply Minister, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal. "Our shop was set up in 1905 and we moved to this new market in 1967. I have not seen such cheating and such apathy and I wonder what kind of leaders the Akalis are", says a leader of the arthiyas, Mr Ranbir Sood. During the last elections, he had switched his loyalties from the Congress to the Akali Dal and was repenting now. He is a rich man with four shellers and export business, but felt that the farmers deserved better. "If they are ruined, nothing can save Punjab", summed up another farmer turned commission agent, Jagdish Lal. He alleged that there is a mix up among the officials and millers. And both the farmers and the agents are suffering.

In fact, there was loud protest when Food and Supply Department officials tried to persuade the commission agents not to stop the auction. Sadhu Ram, Amrik Singh, Mal Singh and several others protested and alleged that only those who bribed could benefit. Officials like Hardip Singh had a tough time convincing them not to resort to harsh measures and tried to explain the compulsion of the officials.

Right before the officials, the farmers were critical of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala. They held them responsible for the current mess. Their anger even turned to loud protests and jeers.

What lies behind the whole tragedy of paddy procurement this year? There were heavy rains when the paddy had almost matured. This delayed harvesting and spoiled the crop. When the six government agencies and the millers entered the market, there was a near flood of arrivals. And here, the government, agencies messed up. First the millers were allowed to buy paddy at whatever rate they could. They did not have to give any levy of rice on the purchases made till October 10. The government claimed it was acting smart as the discoloured and poor stocks could be bought by the millers who had been given another concession of good price for the levy rice. So today their godowns are full. They have cornered 51 per cent of the total arrivals till October 10 and at a lower price than the minimum support price of Rs 440 or Rs 470 per quintal.

In this mandi, out of 9,52,520 quintals, they had purchased 7.5 lakh quintals and the government agencies another two lakh quintals. At least 1.5 lakh quintals were lying unsold, fuelling agitation. Statewide, the millers have purchased 51 per cent of the total arrivals. And, from today, they had stopped buying but they will have to mill whatever stock is allotted to them.

There was a lot of truth what Food Department officials said that they could not buy poor quality of paddy. "The instructions are very clear. We have to buy paddy with right specifications at Rs 440 and Rs 470 per quintal. Discoloured and paddy full of moisture could not be purchased", Hardip Singh explained.

Badal pulls up paddy purchase agencies
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Oct 13 — At an emergent meeting called at a short notice this morning to review the procurement of paddy Punjab Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal pulled up senior officers associated with the overall supervision of the procurement of paddy in the state.

Upset by adverse reports in the print media with regard to procurement of paddy, Mr Badal instructed all the bureaucrats including managing directors of various government agencies to remain in the field to personally supervise the procurement of paddy. He made it clear that strict action would be taken against officers found wanting.

Even the Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann made it plain that he was not happy with paddy procurement. He said that there was a big difference between what he had been told by the officials concerned and what was appearing in the media and reports from the field.

Mr Badal directed the officials concerned to protect the interests of farmers saying they should face no problem in selling their paddy at the minimum support price fixed by the Centre and paddy should be procured on the day it was brought to market.

Instructions had been given to hold the auction of paddy twice in a day and to keep grain markets open on Sundays. All MLAs and Deputy Commissioners had also been told to visit markets and attend to the grievances of farmers.