Farmers to protest wheat rate cut over ‘low quality’

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 21

Taking great exception to the state government’s decision to reduce rates of wheat produce citing low quality by Rs 4.60 per quintal (from Rs 1,840 to Rs 1,836), BKU Sidhupur members on Tuesday threatened to start continuous protests at the FCI regional office in Ferozepur district from May 28.

Addressing a press conference in the city, president of the union Jagjit Singh said, “Claiming that the quality of wheat grains is not up to the standard, procurement agencies have lowered the prices of wheat by Rs 4.60 per quintal. We vehemently oppose this move. During a meeting with representatives of procurement agencies and arhtiyas on April 1, it was unanimously decided that there would be no cut in the rates of wheat this season.

“But now the agencies have changed their stance and citing moisture content and discoloured wheat grain due to flattening of crop after hailstorm and untimely rain, they have lowered the prices of wheat produce now.”

Jagjit Singh said, “The wheat crop in five districts of the Malwa region remained unaffected as only mild rain lashed these areas so the quality of wheat produce is intact. There are quality inspectors sitting outside mandis, but they did not bother about getting the grains examined by them to corroborate their stand.

In the government’s notification, it was clearly mentioned that there would be a cut in the rate of wheat with 10 per cent or above content but now it has effected rate cut on all wheat produce. If the state government does not provide a solution to the problem, we will stage protests against its highhandedness for indefinite period at the FCI (Food Corparation office in Ferozepur district from May 28 onwards.”