Karnal bans paddy purchase

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 26

The district authorities on Saturday banned the procurement of PR variety of paddy. Paddy that arrived till Friday will be purchased. Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh has confirmed this.

“The procurement agencies have already procured more than their quota fixed for this year,” the DC said.

On Saturday, farmers were not allowed to enter the Karnal grain market with their paddy. The police have been deployed on the entry gates of the grain market, leading to resentment among farmers and arthiyas. Farmers and arhtiyas demand revocation of the ban.

Rajnish Chaudhary, president of the Karnal Arhtiyas Association, hit out at the district authorities for taking, what he described as, an “anti-farmer” decision.

“The police have been deployed at the grain market, resulting into inconvenience to farmers and the arthiyas. The authorities should lift the ban,” he said.

Vinod Goel, state vice-president, Haryana Rice Millers and Dealers Association, met the Deputy Commissioner and apprised him of the problems being faced by farmers because of the ban. “Still, a large quantity of PR variety is yet to be brought to the grain markets. What will farmers do?”

After the formation of new government, the matter would be raised with the Chief Minister, he added.