Sirsa farmers suffered losses as labour strike halted buying of paddy, says Kisan Ekta chief

Farmers in Sirsa faced major financial losses after a two-day strike by labourers disrupted paddy procurement at the local grain market. According to Bharatiya Kisan Ekta (BKE) state president Lakhwinder Singh Aulakh, the strike caused delays that forced many farmers to sell their crops below market rates.

Aulakh said the farmers’ kharif crops had already been damaged due to floods, heavy rainfall and waterlogging. “Now, when they come to the markets to sell their remaining crop, they are being looted through price cuts and unfair deductions,” he added.

The strike began due to a dispute among labourers, commission agents, and rice millers over wages. During the two days, around 9,000 quintals of Punjab-1509 paddy arrived in the Sirsa mandi. Though the traders had initially agreed to buy the crop, many backed out after the strike, refusing to purchase at earlier prices.

An agreement between traders and labourers was finally reached on the second night, ending the strike. However, by then, the farmers had to sell their paddy for Rs 50 to Rs 300 less per quintal. Aulakh said on average, each farmer suffered a loss of around Rs 2 lakh.

Several farmers, including Gurjant Singh from Kumthala village, Jaipal from Anandgarh, and Surender, also had to sell their produce at reduced rates.

Aulakh criticised the market committee, district administration and the government. He demanded that the farmers’ crops be purchased at the minimum support price (MSP) and that no unnecessary deductions be made. “This kind of exploitation is unacceptable. The government must act to protect farmers’ rights,” he said.