Badal seeks end to paddy procurement imbroglio in Punjab

Following pressure from Punjab, Cnetre had earlier announced to advance the procurement schedule by a fortnight. This would have ensured early lifting of the paddy from the mandis where a huge stocks had piled up. The FCI has become quality conscience and wanted to implement a strict code of quality control while procuding the paddy.

However, sources close to chief minister said despite a revised procurement schedule, things had not changed in the mandis. “Though the procurement is said to have started the ground staff are creating hurdles in lifting the paddy as a result situation remains unchaged”, a top aide of Badal told the Indian Express.

Punjab is expecting a record arrival of 125 lakh metric tonnes in the state’s mandis as against last year’s 109 lakh mts. In case the FCI’s dithering on procerement continues, the growers would be left with no option but to sell their produce to the rice millers at distress rates, Badal said.

Badal, sources said, is reported to have urged Shanta Kumar and several central leaders whom he meet today “not to allow the situation to get out of hand” more so when the SAD-BJP alliance had romped home in Sunam. Badal’s assertiveness comes in the wave of his party’s grandiose victory in Sunam byelections. He also met home minister L K Advani and other central leaders including Sushma Swaraj, Sunder lal Patwa and several other BJP leaders. The chief minister also spoke to prime minister over telephone and conveyed his fears about farmers’ agitation over paddy procurement getting out of hand.

Sources said Badal advised the BJP leaders to “join hands with the SAD to build on the Sunam victory”, which is perceived as a kind of gallop poll by these ally parties on the eve of Next year’s assembly elections in Punjab. He asserted that an resolution of paddy row would consolidate the popular wave in favour of the alliance.