Glut in Bathinda grain market; farmers refused passes, restive

Sukhmeet Bhasin
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, April 24

Wheat procurement has taken a hit as farmers are not being issued passes due to a glut-like situation in grain markets across Punjab.

With no space to unload produce at the local grain market, which is packed to capacity, farmers here have not been issued passes for the past two days.

Farmers fear the authorities may halt procurement of wheat, like in case of cotton earlier, and have started asking commission agents to purchase their crop and give them money. A team of senior Punjab Mandi Board officials from Chandigarh had visited the grain market and after taking stock of the situation directed the market committee officials to stop issuing passes amid concerns over social distancing.

Sandura Singh, a farmer from Gulabgarh village, said: “We are facing huge problems as passes are not being issued as there is no space in the grain market to unload produce. The government should ensure prompt procurement.” Another farmer, Kuldeep Singh from Teona, said: “I had hired 10 trolleys to move harvested crop from the field to my house.

With no passes, I have to bear losses on account of the rent of trolleys.” A commission agent said: “The delay in procurement has affected the cycle of farmers, which may delay the sowing of cotton in the region. With late procurement, payment will get delayed, which in turn will affect the purchase of seeds and fertilisers.”

Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, said: “There is record arrival of wheat in mandis. As on Thursday, 7L metric tonne of wheat had arrived across the state. There is a delay in lifting as we are facing shortage of labour and poor transportation facility.”