Lying in open, paddy produce gets drenched in rain

Heaps of paddy produce dumped in the open at the grain market in Rohtak have got drenched due to constant rain since last night.

This has added to farmers’ woes as the wet produce is not purchased by the government agencies. “The produce has to be dried, but it may take several days, depending on the weather conditions. Even after drying, the produce may be rejected on the basis of high moisture content,” says Parkash, a paddy grower. The farmers lament that they have to stay at the grain market to safeguard their produce, but they feel helpless if it gets wet in the rain due to lack of proper arrangements. The rain has also worsened the condition of the roads in Rohtak city, many of which were already broken and potholed. The residents have to face grave inconvenience due to the dilapidated roads, traffic jams and waterlogging. While the district administration and local municipal authorities maintain that the repair and re-carpeting of roads will be carried out soon, the residents assert that strict action should be taken against the contractors and government officials as even several newly constructed roads have also got damaged in the rain.

“Even a brief spell of rain exposes the hollowness of the tall claims made by the local administration and municipal corporation regarding monsoon preparedness. The rain has wreaked havoc with roads this year as well. Insanitary conditions and overflowing sewage have made life hell for the residents. Strict action should be taken against the government contractors and officials responsible for the prevailing situation,” states Kamal Arora, a resident.

Rohtak Market Committee secretary Deepak Lohchab said the arhtiyas (commission agents) had been directed to cover the produce to prevent it from getting wet, but they did not do the needful. The farmers should also bring their produce to the mandis after cleaning and drying, he said. "Generally, the farmers bring produce with high moisture content and dump it in the mandis for drying," he said. Lohchab appealed to the farmers to bring dry produce to the mandis and avoid coming if rain has been predicted.