After schools, SGPC may ease potato glut

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 2

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is considering asking its affiliated gurdwaras and educational institutions across the state to procure potato directly from farmers at a rate of Rs 4-5 per kg.

The move is aimed at helping the distressed farmers who have been selling their produce at Rs 2 per kg or lesser. SGPC chief secretary Harcharan Singh said, “The government proposal of getting potato supply for the mid-day meal from farmers sent a very positive signal. I discussed it with Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and we are considering applying it to gurdwaras and other institutions.”

He said a majority of SGPC institutions were buying potato from the open market at Rs 8 per kg on an average. 

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The government has asked schools to procure potato directly from farmers, after the intervention of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. It has also written to jails. Punjab produces 25 lakh tonnes of potato. Only about 8 lakh tonnes has been sold to date, since November. 

In an interesting development, Assam has approved Rs 5 per kg MSP for potatoes. 

Farmer in distress ends life near Banga

Adampur: With the potato prices crashing, there have been reports of farmers committing suicide. On Wednesday, a farmer of Musapur village near Banga took his life as he was unable to pay debt. Khushwant Singh’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan by his nine-year-old daughter. Angry villagers blamed demonetisation and “anti-farmer” policies of the Centre. “Sarkar ne kuchh nahin kita (The government has done nothing for us),” remarked Ajit Singh, a panchayat member. Khushwant (45), who owned 2 acres, had grown potatoes over 30 acres he had taken on rent at Rs 25,000 per acre. He owed Rs 20 lakh to banks and commission agents.  “It takes Rs 42,000 to grow potatoes on an acre, but farmers are getting a mere Rs 15,000. We are in extreme distress," said another farmer, Dilbag Singh. tns