Wheat glut at Fatehgarh Sahib mandis worries farmers

Resentment continued to brew among farmers and commission agents across the district as wheat procurement remains sluggish, leaving heaps of produce lying unattended at the district’s 32 procurement centres.

Farmers, many of whom have been waiting at the mandis for days, lamented the harassment and uncertainty due to the delay. They have warned of blocking traffic on the GT Road near Sirhind if procurement does not begin immediately.

Officials of procurement agencies, however, maintained that the wheat arriving in mandis is largely below prescribed specifications. They expressed apprehension that procuring substandard grain could lead to spoilage in the coming months, for which they might be held accountable. The officials have reportedly submitted a written communication to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), seeking relaxation in specification norms from the government.

They further said procurement would only resume after a central team visits the district, collects samples and gives its assessment. Until then, the stalemate is expected to continue.

DC Sona Thind said procurement of wheat meeting the required specifications was already underway and around 1,000 metric tonne had been procured so far. “Directions have been issued to procurement agencies to expedite the process,” she added.

The DC, along with the District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC), has been visiting grain markets to monitor the situation and ensure that farmers do not face inconvenience. She also appealed to farmers to bring properly dried wheat as per specifications to avoid rejection.

Meanwhile, former MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra criticised the FCI for allegedly supplying used and torn gunny bags for wheat procurement in mandis across the district. He demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Smooth procurement underway in Mohali

Mohali: The procurement of wheat in the district’s mandis is underway, with farmers already having received a payment of Rs 16.97 crore so far.

District Food and Supply Controller Varinder Kumar said 13,717 MT wheat has arrived at the mandis so far. Of this, 9,272 MT has been purchased — 3,058 MT by Pangrain, 3,384 MT by Markfed, 2,118 MT by PUNSUP and 712 MT by Punjab State Warehouse Corporation.

Meanwhile, a three-member central committee collected samples from the markets of Kurali on Monday.