Tardy lifting may cause paddy glut

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 21

The ‘slow’ lifting of paddy from grain markets across the state has started creating problems. Arhtiyas allege that since the Punjab Government has failed to fulfil the demand of rice millers of shifting their stock, they are not lifting the purchased paddy.

“Since the start of the paddy purchase season, arhtiyas have been facing problems. Now, the slow lifting has created hurdles for us. Things will become worse in the coming days if the authorities fail to take quick action. Around 48 per cent paddy is lying unlifted across the state while the authorities are blind to the fact and not taking any action despite our repeated requests,” said Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of the arhtiya association.

While sharing other figures, he said Pathankot had seen only 17 per cent lifting, SBS Nagar 30 per cent, Barnala 25 per cent and Mansa 37 per cent.

“In majority of districts of Punjab, the figure of lifting is below 50 per cent despite the fact that the official purchase of paddy started 21 days back. Farmers are asking arhtiyas to make space as they are unaware that it’s the job of the millers. In many grain markets, farmers have threatened arhtiyas with dire consequences if the required space is not made immediately,” Cheema said.

Some farmers sitting in Sangrur, where 47 per cent lifting has been done till date, fear that if the government fails to ensure quick lifting, it may cause glut and compel them to launch an agitation.

“The Punjab Government is well aware about the situation as its officials are sending reports daily. But we have not seen any improvement in lifting here,” said Kulwinder Singh, a farmer sitting near his paddy in the grain market.

When contacted, Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, KAP Sinha said he was unaware about the delay of lifting.“I do not know,” he said.