Haryana’s Paddy Procurement Falls Short of Target, Selja Questions BJP’s Agricultural Policies
CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Kumari Selja, Sirsa Member of Parliament, former Union Cabinet Minister, All India Congress Committee national general secretary, Congress in-charge of Uttarakhand and member of the Congress Working Committee, has expressed concern over the decline in government procurement of paddy in Haryana and questioned the BJP government’s agricultural policies.
She alleged that the government remained occupied with portals, announcements and publicity, while farmers continued to struggle for basic facilities such as irrigation water, electricity, crop procurement and timely payments.
Selja said published figures showed that the state had set a paddy procurement target of 58 lakh metric tonnes, but approximately 44.93 lakh metric tonnes had been procured so far. Describing the decline compared with previous years as worrying, she said the government must explain the role of weather conditions, irrigation facilities, electricity supply and procurement arrangements.
Farmers Face Water, Power and Portal Difficulties
She said farmers in several parts of Haryana were not receiving adequate canal water or electricity according to their requirements. Registration, verification and technical problems on government portals were also causing difficulties for farmers at mandis.
The government, she said, must simplify its digital system so that technical hurdles do not become barriers to farmers’ legitimate rights.
Timely Payments Essential for the Next Crop
Selja said delays in payment after procurement directly affect farmers’ financial condition. Timely payment is necessary for the next sowing season and for purchasing seeds, fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs.
She urged the state government to conduct an impartial review of the reasons behind the decline in paddy production and procurement, ensure purchase of the remaining paddy in mandis, release pending payments immediately and resolve complaints relating to canal water and electricity on priority.
She said farmers’ welfare could not be ensured through announcements alone. Adequate water reaching fields, regular electricity, fair prices for crops and timely payments were essential. The government, she added, must focus on practical solutions rather than publicity.
“The real welfare of farmers will come not from government announcements, but from ensuring adequate water in fields, regular electricity, fair prices for crops and timely payments,” Selja said.
Sonia Gandhi’s Concerns Over Democracy and Constitutional Institutions Deserve Serious Debate: Kumari Selja
CHANDIGARH | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Kumari Selja, Sirsa Member of Parliament and Congress national general secretary, has supported the concerns expressed by Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi regarding democracy and constitutional institutions.
Selja said Sonia Gandhi had raised an important question about the damage allegedly caused to the democratic system over the past twelve years and the challenges involved in restoring the credibility of institutions.
She said safeguarding institutional independence, protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring respect for the Opposition were essential to strengthening democracy.
Selja reiterated that the Congress remained committed to the Constitution, social harmony and accountable governance. She said an aware citizenry would play an important role in strengthening democratic values.
