Haryana: Lack of space in mandis due to delay in procurement

Haryana: Despite efforts by the district administration to streamline the paddy procurement process, farmers in Karnal district are facing serious challenges due to the slow lifting of crops by procurement agencies. The delay has led to chaos in various grain markets, forcing farmers to unload their paddy on roads and long queues, exposing the inefficiency of the system. Even after a day of no procurement, unsold paddy is piling up in grain markets, adding to the frustration of farmers. Farmers at Nilokheri and Indri grain markets expressed anger over lack of space, forcing them to dump their produce on the roadside. Similarly, farmers upset over lack of space were seen waiting in long queues with their paddy-laden tractors and trolleys outside the Karnal grain market on National Highway-44. They attributed the slow lifting to congestion, making it impossible to unload more paddy. According to data as of October 13, a total of 2,75,499 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy has been procured in various grain markets across the district. The Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has procured 1,78,708 MT, HAFED 60,061 MT and Haryana State Warehousing Corporation 36,730 MT. However, only 1,02,353 quintals (about 63,448 MT) have been lifted by these agencies, leaving 1,73,146 MT of paddy still lying in the mandis. Farmers have urged the authorities to resolve these issues so that there is no further delay. “Due to the slow lifting, farmers are left with no option but to dump their produce on the roadside due to lack of space. I, along with other farmers, had to unload paddy on the roadside,” said farmer Rishipal. Deepak, another farmer waiting outside the Karnal grain market for a gate pass, also raised similar concerns.

“We have to wait for hours in long queues, but we are still not able to unload our crop due to the slow pace of lifting,” he said. “The administration needs to improve the mandi facilities. The biggest problem is the delay in lifting, due to which we have to wait for hours when we do not get space in the mandi,” said another farmer, Nirankar Singh. Sumit Kumar, a farmer from Indri, also stressed the need for better arrangements to ensure timely lifting and smooth procurement. Though the central government had pre-scheduled to start paddy procurement from September 27 on the request of the state, the lifting process was delayed due to the strike by rice millers. The strike affected the collection of paddy for custom-milled rice (CMR). After assurances from caretaker chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, the rice millers withdrew their strike and started registration for CMR. When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh said the procurement agencies have been directed to expedite the lifting process. “Additional Deputy Commissioner Yash Jaluka is monitoring the overall procurement and lifting process, and officers have been appointed at the mandi level to check discrepancies,” the DC said.