Farmers in despair as govt ‘fails’ to introduce e-procurement

Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 15

Thousands of farmers in the state are in despair after the Punjab Government “failed” to introduce paddy procurement through electronic weighing machines.

Last month, the government had decided to discard the decade-old method of procurement through traditional manual weighing machines. With procurement picking up the pace in grain markets in Punjab, paddy is still being procured through manual weighing scale.

Sources said the government was facing a strong resentment from commission agents which made the government delay the implementation of weighing through electronic machines. 

Jagmohan Singh, general secretary, Bharti Kisan Union Dakonda, said, “Once again the government has failed to implement a decision which was in favour of Punjab farmers. It is very saddening to see that the state government bowed down to the pressure of commissioned agents.” 

Sukhjeet Singh Rathian, a farmer, said, “The tall claims of the government of building confidence among the farmers have fallen flat. The government should implement the orders so as the farmers get accurate cost of their produce.” 

Admitting the failure, Punjab Mandi Board Chairman, Laal Singh, said, “Due to some technical issues the orders could not be implemented. However, we will make sure these are implemented as soon as possible.” 

Farmers of the state had been complaining that the exact weight was not recorded by manual machines. Ravinder Singh Cheema, state president of the Punjab Artiyaas Association, said, “Though moisture content has been fixed at 17 per cent, with manual weighing machines, we allow procurement of paddy even at 18-20 per cent.”