5 months on, Taraori farmers, arhtiyas await paddy payment

Tribune News Service

Karnal, April 16

Scores of farmers and arhtiyas of the Taraori Grain Market have been waiting to be paid for paddy procured by the government five months ago in November, despite the government’s claim of clearing payments in 72 hours.

Arhtiyas and farmers claim payment of around Rs 40 crore — Rs 32 crore of farmers and Rs 8 crore of the arhtiyas — is pending with the Food and Civil Supplies Department for paddy purchased on November 14. They have been running from pillar to post to get this payment.

“Around Rs 40 crore is pending with the department, of which around Rs 32 crore is of farmers. The department delayed filing of reconciliation of data, due to which payments are delayed and we are suffering. We have approached Nilokheri MLA Dharampal Gonder, who also took up the matter with the higher authorities of the department, but no action has been initiated,” said Nathi Ram, president of the Taraori Arhtiya Association. He said farmers were approaching arhtiyas repeatedly for pending payment.

Farmer Rishi Pal claimed he sold his paddy crop on November 14, but his payment was pending. “I am in a financial crisis and desperately need my money.”

District Food and Supply Controller Anil Kumar said: this was due to delay in filing of reconciliation data of around 13,000MT paddy. “The last date for reconciliation of data was December 15, but somehow it got delayed for around 15 days. I have informed the higher authorities and hopefully their dues will be release soon.”