Former CM Hooda slams Haryana govt for below-MSP paddy procurement, demands immediate relief for farmers

Former Chief Minister and newly appointed Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday strongly criticised the Haryana government for failing to ensure the Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers.

Hooda visited Gharaunda and Karnal grain markets to interact with farmers, labourers and arhtiyas, listening to their grievances regarding delayed procurement and low payments. He alleged that paddy is being procured at throwaway prices.

“Farmers are facing severe difficulties this season. Their crops are not being purchased on time, MSP is not being paid, and payments are being delayed. Farmers are trapped in endless formalities — from the Meri Fasal Mera Byora portal to verification, gate restrictions, and lifting delays,” said Hooda while interacting with media persons.

Hooda alleged that the government is cheating farmers, saying, “MSP rates are short by Rs 200, Rs 400, and even Rs 800 per quintal. Not a single farmer I met has received the promised MSP.”

Demanding immediate relief, Hooda demanded the government to relax moisture content to 22-24 per cent from 17 per cent; raise the acceptable level for discoloured grains from 5 per cent to 10 per cent; and provide a bonus of Rs 500 per quintal. He emphasised that excessive rainfall, floods and waterlogging this year had caused up to 100 per cent crop damage in some areas, while the remaining crops yielded much less than expected. Compensation announced by the government — Rs 15,000 per acre — falls far short of actual losses, which Hooda said ranged from Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 per acre.

He questioned the achievements of the Nayab Saini-led government, completing one year in office, asking, “The PM is visiting Haryana, but what achievements will they highlight? Has the government provided relief to farmers or labourers, or improved law and order? Even promised compensation and bonuses have not been delivered.”

Regarding the Lado-Lakshmi scheme, Hooda said that the BJP had promised Rs 2,100 per month to all women, but later restricted it to 20 lakh women. So far, only 1,71,000 women have registered, despite the government already having Aadhar and family ID data — a move Hooda described as “another instance of the government misleading the public.”