Sangrur farmers rue manual weighing of paddy by arhtiyas

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 24

Despite directions by the state authorities to all district officials to ensure the use of electronic weighing machines during the purchase of paddy in all grain markets, in Sangrur the use of manual weighing machines is going on unchecked.

Farmers have alleged that arhtiyas are cheating them through manual weighing machines as officials concerned have failed to ensure the use of electronic machines.

“In the whole district, arhtiyas are using manual weighing machines and farmers are repeatedly asking for using electronic machines, but none is willing. It’s an open loot of farmers as arhtiyas are cheating them through manual weighing machines. It is happening despite written directions for the use of electronic weighing machines. We will start protest against the use of manual weighing machines,” alleged Bhupinder Singh Longowal, convener of the Kisan Morcha, Sangrur.

The Additional Director, Purchase, Food and Civil Supplies Department, had written to Secretary Punjab Raj Mandi Board around two months back that arhtiyas weighed the crop with old manual weighing machines and many times the weighing was not perfect and farmers did not get full price of their crop. He had asked the Mandi Board authorities to ensure the use of electronic machines during the purchase starting from October 1.

Farmers alleged that arhtiyas were showing the weight of empty bag as 700 to 800 gm while it was 580 gm.

“Farmers are already committing suicides due to debt. If they fail to get full price of their crop, the suicides will increase and the government authorities will be responsible for their failure to ensure the proper weighing of crops,” said Satwinder Singh, a farmer.

When contacted, Darshan Kumar, District Mandi Officer, said, “I have also written to all my officials in the district to ensure the weighing of paddy through electronic machines and we have also put up our electronic machines in majority of grain markets. About the use of manual machines by arhtiyas, I have not received any written complaint as yet. I will look into the matter and take appropriate action,” said Darshan Kumar.