INLD holds protest over ‘paddy scam’

Accusing the state government of turning a blind eye to farmers’ distress and alleged paddy scam across Haryana, scores of workers of the INLD on Monday held a protest march in the city.

They demanded action over alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, non-payment of compensation for crop loss and denial of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy and millet.

The INLD workers gathered at Sector 12 and marched to the Mini-Secretariat, shouting slogans against the state government. A memorandum was handed over to Tehsildar for the Governor by the party workers and leaders led by INLD Kisan Cell state president Phool Singh Manjura, along with district president Surjeet Shamgarh and other senior leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, Manjura said large areas of farmers’ land across several districts remained waterlogged after recent heavy rains, destroying standing crops on thousands of acres. “Despite extensive damage, the government has failed to conduct special girdawari or compensate farmers. Paddy and millet crops are being purchased at rates far below MSP and farmers are being exploited in mandis,” he said.

Manjura alleged a multi-crore paddy procurement scam, claiming that manipulation in purchase records and deductions in the name of moisture content have led to massive financial losses to farmers. “Instead of doubling farmers’ income, the government has drowned them in debt. The CM has not taken a single step to address real issues of the farmers,” he added.

District president Surjeet Shamgarh accused the BJP government of anti-farmer policies. “The farmers are being cheated with false promises of MSP. In reality, paddy is being bought at heavily reduced prices, while the gap between the support price and the market rate of millet under the Bhavantar scheme is nearly Rs 700-800 per quintal,” he said.

The memorandum submitted by the INLD delegation said 12 districts had been severely affected, with nearly 4.5 lakh farmers suffering damage to crops over 19 lakh acres. Around 6,000 villages have been impacted, yet no adequate compensation has been released. The INLD demanded immediate assessment of losses and compensation of at least Rs 50,000 per acre, along with timely availability of DAP and urea fertilisers.