INLD seeks withdrawal of ‘unfair’ wheat procurement rules

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Abhay Singh Chautala on Sunday urged the Haryana Government to withdraw the “unfair and illogical” rules and regulations it had imposed on farmers and commission agents for wheat procurement.

He warned that the party would hold protests if the rules were not revoked by April 10.

Addressing the media at his Dabwali road residence, Chautala said farmers were facing difficulties due to delay caused by the government’s procurement regulations. He added that the INLD had set up help centres in every district to support struggling farmers.

Chautala criticised the biometric system enforced on farmers and said it did not apply to any other trading sector and only served to benefit big corporates like Reliance and Adani. He accused the government of trying to weaken the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system. Chauatala warned mandi officials that any attempt to stop farmers’ tractor-trailers would invite strict action. He demanded better arrangements for crop procurement and timely payment to farmers. “Compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre should be given to farmers for crops damaged by natural disasters,” he added.

Chautala alleged that the government bent on harassing farmers instead of maintaining law and order. The INLD chief said the death anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal would be held at his memorial site in New Delhi.

‘Delay’ sowing seeds of frustration

The state government announced that it would begin wheat procurement on April 1. However, many local centres in the state had not been prepared. Sacks have not arrived at many of places yet. At the Bani grain market, officials said sacks were on the way from Kolkata.

Bharatiya Kisan Ekta (BKE) state president Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh visited the market on Sunday and spoke to farmers about their problems. Farmers’ vehicles had been issued gate passes but thumbprints could not be recorded since the biometric system was not working. Without successful verification, wheat could not be purchased.