Farmers' Dilemma on the Borders

Hopeful of selling paddy produce in Haryana as it was announced that the procurement will begin, farmers from Uttar Pradesh were stranded across the border in Karnal district. Confusion over guidelines issued by the government has led to distress among the farmers.

Chandigarh: Lack of proper information and implementation of farm acts is taking a toll on farmers now. As per the law, farmers can sell their produce in any state. The Haryana government announced on 27 September that in accordance with the new law pertaining to the mandis of Haryana, the paddy procurement process will begin and shall be based upon the MSP.

Lack of clarity and implementation of guidelines

Moved by the announcement, Uttar Pradesh farmers reached Haryana hoping to sell their produce. Nevertheless, they ended up in chaos and confusion. They reached Karnal district border and the produce harvested 20 or 25 days ago is still not sold.

As per the new policy of the Haryana government, the farmer can sell his/her crops in any other state as well, but he/she has to follow a systematic procedure. According to the guideline, farmers cannot sell their crops directly in the Mandi (grain and agricultural produce market). Farmers from other states will have to make an online application to sell their crops, in which the farmer needs to furnish his personal information and details on the crop. Upon approval, the farmer can sell the produce to the government agencies in a market allotted to him/her.

Farmers stranded on the border with crops

Like the rest of the farmers, farmer Dhyan Singh, who reached the Karnal border, said that on the 23rd, he reached the mandi with his paddy produce, but his paddy is not being sold yet. He said that Prime Minister had said that farmers would be able to sell their crops in any market, anywhere in the country, but we are being harassed here by the police. Their paddy-filled trolleys are being stopped at the border itself. Police told that they were directed to procure paddy from Haryana first and later paddy from UP.

Chaos and confusion over rules

At the same time, the adhatiyas (granary authorities) also raised questions on the policies of the government. Adhatiyas present in Karnal Mandi said that the policies of the government are not clear.

First, during the entry of goods, neither gunny bags were available nor gunny bag tailors. Later we faced the shortage of goods, due to which the entire mandi system has deteriorated.

The adhati agents were demanding that they will not start the procurement until the procurement agencies provide rice millers in the mandis. At the same time, rice millers say that they will not buy goods from the mandis until the government fulfils their demands.

Read:Protests across Punjab against farm laws, SAD leads 'kisan marches'

Priority for paddy from Haryana

The ETV Bharat team also spoke to Mandi secretary Sundar Singh. He said that whenever a new law is enacted, problems arise. The problem of purchasing paddy from Uttar Pradesh will be solved within days. Haryana government has ordered that paddy from Haryana will be sold first followed by paddy from other states.

What is the problem with PR paddy procurement?

Rice Millers, Haryana State Rice Millers Association, are not procuring the PR varieties of paddy, claiming strike as a reason, while they are also making tremendous purchases of fine quality paddy from these grain markets itself. This is the reason that the price of 1509 paddy has gone up by 300 to 400 rupees in the last four days.

Outside crop will be procured from October 5: Chief Minister

Farmers were informed that their crops will be purchased after the sale of local farmers' paddy in the state. But, on the other hand, the state Chief Minister Manohar Lal said that after October 5, interstate farmers' produce will also be purchased. This has led to a dilemma among farmers.

Additional Chief Secretary of the department showing no concern

As per the statement issued by P K Das, the Additional Chief Secretary, Food and Supplies Department of Haryana, the portal will be opened for farmers from other states. But he also added that due to the crisis, we are concerned and responsible for farmers in Haryana. Respective governments have to take responsibility of farmers from other states.

Disappointment and despair to the farmers on the border

Farmers hopeful of selling their final grain, toiled and spend a lot in bringing the paddy till the border as they had confidence in the Prime Minister's words. Farmers on the border were betrayed as they were discriminated from farmers in Haryana. They are in deep despair as paddy procurement within the state will be over only in two weeks.