Sirsa farmers demand action on crop deductions, fertiliser shortage

Farmers gathered at the Kalanwali Tehsil office on Monday, to submit a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, raising concerns about various issues affecting them. The delegation was led by Kuldeep Singh Faggu, of Pagdi Sambhal Jatta, and Gurdas Singh Lakkarwali, of Bhartiya Kisan Ekta.

Kuldeep Singh Faggu alleged that the farmers were being exploited under the pretext of grain moisture deductions during paddy procurement. He also pointed out the ongoing black marketing of DAP fertiliser, forcing the farmers to stand in long queues for hours and still return empty handed. Meanwhile, the same fertiliser is easily available in the black market and even delivered to homes by private sellers.

He demanded that official moisture testing machines be used at procurement sites to ensure transparency. Additionally, he urged the administration to provide adequate baler machines in villages for stubble management, to prevent stubble burning.

The farmers associated with the Bhartiya Kisan Ekta also raised slogans and expressed anger on the market committee premises. They alleged that four kg per quintal was unfairly deducted every year under the guise of hybrid paddy varieties by rice mill owners. They demanded an immediate end to this practice.

The farmers also called for the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to start narma (raw cotton) procurement in Kalanwali, claiming that the local traders are underpaying them by forming cartels.

Farmer leader Iqbal Singh said repeated deductions for moisture content and hybrid seeds were causing financial losses to the farmers every season. He urged the administration to stop these unfair practices.

Among those present were Bindar Singh, Nazar Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Amandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Jarnail Singh, Baisakha Singh, Shivraj Singh, Raghubir Singh, and Sateinderjeet Singh.