Farmers, paddy purchasers at loggerheads in Fazilka

Praful Chander Nagpal
Fazilka, November 1

The purchase of basmati remained suspended in Fazilka and its adjoining Ladhuka grain markets following a dispute between farmers and paddy purchasers.

The paddy purchasers abstained from going to the grain markets today due to which no basmati variety of paddy could be purchased. Notably, the purchasers buy paddy on behalf of private traders, including rice millers and exporters.

Paddy Purchasers Union’s Ladhuka president Ram Singh said as soon as they entered in the Ladhuka mandi on Wednesday to buy paddy, they were allegedly abused and the farmers misbehaved with them. They then approached the Fazilka purchasers’ union and boycotted the purchase of paddy today.

Notably, some farmers under banner of Punjab Kisan Sabha Mandi, Lakhuka block, staged a protest in the market against the alleged highhandedness of the private traders and buying their produce at a lesser rate as compared to the market of adjoining districts by making a cartel.

Kisan Sabha Ladhuka president and Ladhuka mandi sarpanch Darshan Ram denied the allegation. He alleged that the private traders had made a cartel to fleece the farmers to buy paddy at low rates and so the traders were trying to presssurise the farmers by using the purchasers.

Purchasers’ union Fazilka president Surinder Sharma said they have been offering the price of paddy, keeping in view the quality and moisture content in it. Hence no question of fleecing the farmers.

When contacted, Ajaypal Singh Brar, Secretary, Market Committee, said the purchaser had met him today and have demanded security from the government. He expressed hope that the purchase would start from Friday.