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Journalism of Courage
Paddy procurement has been halted across several mandis in Punjab over the past few days, following the Food and Civil Supplies Department’s announcement that district-wise purchase targets had been met. Farmers, however, allege that officials failed to curb the inflow of paddy from neighbouring Haryana and Rajasthan and are now penalising genuine Punjab growers who still have unsold stock.
In 2025, 57,919 MT was procured from Fazilka mandis compared to 47,725 MT in 2024. Jalalabad mandis recorded 63,477 MT this year (up from 52,199 MT last year), while Arniwala procured 16,350 MT compared to 15,662 MT in 2024. Only Abohar mandis saw a dip—93,445 MT this year against 98,180 MT last year.
This unexpectedly high arrival volume prompted the Civil Supplies Department to stop procurement across Fazilka as early as November 9.
What the farmers say
Farmers left out of the system were forced into distress sales. “Many sold their paddy in the private market at Rs 1,800–1,900 per quintal, far below the MSP of over Rs 2,300,” said Sukhjinder Singh Rajan, an Abohar-based farmer and BKU Rajewal leader.
In the Bathinda district, procurement was halted on November 14 at multiple mandis. “On Sunday, we blocked the Bajakhana–Bhagta main road for about 30 minutes, after which procurement restarted,” said Amandeep Singh (Gaggi) from Dyalpura Bhaika village.
He said that over 10,000 bags were still lying across 10–15 mandis, including Dyalpura Bhaika, Salabatpura, Kangar, Jalal and Bhagta. “They should have checked paddy coming from Haryana and Rajasthan instead of targeting local farmers,” he argued.
A similar situation has emerged in Ghanaur mandi in Patiala, confirmed Jagmohan Singh, general secretary of BKU Dakaunda. Interestingly, Fazilka and Bathinda border Haryana and Rajasthan, while Patiala borders Haryana.
SKM’s emergency meeting
Amid growing resentment, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called an emergency meeting on Monday to review the situation.
Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board Secretary Ramvir said, “Mandis were acting strictly on directions from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, the nodal agency.”
Food and Civil Supplies Director Varinder Kumar Sharma said,” All genuine purchases were being ensured. A new SOP requires purchases to be made only in the presence of an SDM or executive magistrate, accompanied by photographs to verify authenticity. Arrivals have dropped to a trickle, so only the main yards are functional. This is a routine annual exercise,” he said.
BKU Dakaunda president Buta Singh Burjgill accused the government of halting procurement prematurely. “It should continue for at least another 15 days because unseasonal rain delayed the crop,” he said.
He alleged that a significant portion of paddy entering Punjab mandis came from other states “through corruption and manipulation in collusion with private sellers, commission agents and procurement agencies,” causing the government to worry about justifying inflated arrival figures.
SKM leaders warned that Punjab’s farmers must not be harassed on the pretext of checking illegal inflow. “Every grain produced by local farmers must be purchased. Otherwise, we will be forced to launch an intense agitation,” they said.
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