Punjab farmers defer rail roko protest over wheat procurement delay

Farmers in Punjab, who have suffered heavy crop losses due to the recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms, are now grappling with delays in wheat procurement. (Express Photo)

The call for the rail blockade came amid growing anger among farmers over heavy crop losses caused by recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms, along with delays in procurement, even as the Food Corporation of India (FCI) recommended a relaxation in key quality parameters for wheat procurement allowing up to 20 per cent shrivelled and broken grains, up to 80 per cent lustre loss, and up to 6 per cent damaged grains without any value cut.

Farmer leaders alleged that while neighbouring states like Haryana and Rajasthan received relaxation in norms to begin procurement, Punjab has yet to get approval from the Centre. “It is ironic that the Punjab government wrote to the Union government so late, close to Baisakhi, seeking relaxation norms, while Haryana and Rajasthan had done so in the first week of April. The KMM will hold a meeting in Ludhiana on Saturday afternoon. We will review whether the relaxation norms by the Union government have been implemented by then,” a farmer leader said.

Farmer union representatives also flagged poor mandi arrangements, stating that wheat is lying unsold and farmers are being forced into distress sales at lower prices. They have demanded immediate procurement at the full minimum support price (MSP), along with adequate availability of gunny bags and basic facilities such as shade and washrooms.