Ambala: Farmers cry foul in sunflower seed procurement, allege scam

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Shaheed Bhagat Singh) has alleged a scam in the ongoing sunflower seed procurement process and threatened to launch an agitation if no action is taken against those responsible for discrepancies in packing and weighing of sacks.

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Union leaders claimed that sacks meant to carry 28 kg of sunflower seeds were found to contain between 200 grams to 2 kg extra seeds. This, they said, resulted in losses to farmers during procurement at the Ambala City Grain Market. In protest, farmers gathered at the market, raised slogans, and burnt an effigy of the Chief Minister of Haryana, demanding an inquiry across all 17 sunflower procurement centres in the state.

“We were receiving complaints that over 200 grams to 2 kg of extra seeds were being filled in the sacks. The matter was raised with the Market Committee Secretary, DM Hafed, and Deputy Commissioner,” said Amarjeet Singh Mohri, president of BKU (Shaheed Bhagat Singh).

“It was the responsibility of the market committee to ensure farmers are not cheated, but the secretary claimed procurement is managed by Hafed and denied any role. Though the DM Hafed assured us that a committee would be constituted, no satisfactory action has been taken yet,” he added.

According to the union, two trucks carrying sunflower seed sacks were intercepted by farmers on Thursday along the national highway and brought back to the grain market for verification.

“As per norms, sacks should carry 28 kg, but these had up to 30 kg. Strangely, the trucks were allowed to leave late at night without weighing, which raises suspicion about official collusion,” Mohri alleged.

Tejveer Singh, the union's spokesperson, said similar irregularities had occurred during the wheat procurement season.

“Some people are allegedly buying sunflower seeds from Punjab at cheaper rates and selling them to the government at MSP of Rs 7,280 per quintal. The government must investigate and compensate affected farmers,” he said.

“The union will check all procurement centres and will hold a meeting on June 16 to decide future action. If no concrete steps are taken, we will launch an agitation,” he warned.

Meanwhile, Devender Singh, District Manager, Hafed Ambala, said, “The matter has come to notice and a committee has been formed to investigate.”