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Paddy Arrives in Mandis, But Procurement Arrangements Missing, Says INLD’s Mahipal Bhagwangarh
A delegation of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) Yamunanagar district unit visited the New Grain Market in Jagadhri and interacted with farmers and commission agents to understand the difficulties being faced during the ongoing paddy procurement season.
During the visit, INLD state general secretary Mahipal Bhagwangarh criticised the BJP-led government over what he described as shortcomings in the paddy procurement arrangements. He said farmers were reaching mandis with their harvested crop but were facing difficulties in getting the produce purchased and receiving the expected price.
According to Mahipal, the government has been making claims about purchasing paddy from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP), but the situation at the ground level, according to the INLD, is creating difficulties for farmers who have already brought their crop to the market.
INLD leaders claimed that portal verification of around 50% of farmers was still pending, which they said was affecting farmers’ ability to sell their paddy smoothly. The figure is presented here as the party’s claim and was not independently verified by Pen Of Democracy.
Portal Verification and Procurement Delays Become Major Concerns»
Mahipal said paddy procurement had commenced from September 30, but claimed that a significant number of farmers were still waiting for verification on the procurement portal. He argued that delays in the digital process were adding to the difficulties faced by farmers who had already brought their produce to the mandi.
He also raised concerns over an alleged shortage of gunny bags and the pace of procurement. According to the INLD leader, farmers were being forced to wait with their harvested crop in the mandis instead of receiving timely procurement arrangements.
‘Every Grain Must Be Purchased at MSP’: Zahid Khan»
INLD Minority State President Zahid Khan said the government should ensure that farmers receive the benefit of MSP for their produce. He said, according to the party’s position, that every grain of the farmer’s crop should be purchased at MSP and that the interests of farmers should not be compromised.
Zahid Khan said the INLD would continue to raise issues related to farmers and their access to procurement facilities. He also emphasised the contribution of farmers to the country’s food security and argued that procurement systems should function efficiently when crops reach the mandis.
INLD Questions Wheat Price Increase and Rising Input Costs»
INLD state spokesperson Arjun Sudhail also raised a broader issue concerning the economics of farming. He criticised the reported increase of ₹25 per quintal in wheat prices, describing it as inadequate in comparison with the rise in the cost of cultivation.
Arjun argued that farmers were facing higher expenses on inputs such as diesel, fertilisers and labour. He claimed that input costs had increased by more than 20%, while the increase in the crop price was around one per cent, and questioned whether such an increase would provide sufficient relief to wheat growers.
He further said farmers were facing difficulties related to the availability and timing of seeds, irrigation and remunerative prices. According to him, these issues were contributing to financial pressure in the agricultural sector.
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INLD Calls for Immediate Attention to Farmers’ Problems»
Arjun Sudhail alleged that the combination of rising input costs, procurement-related difficulties and uncertainty over remunerative prices was putting additional pressure on farmers. He called on the government to address farmers’ concerns and improve the procurement process.
The INLD delegation also included district president Roshan Lal, Suresh Sharma, Subhash Khurdaban, Sarvpriya Jathlana, Mangeram Gudiyani, Mangat Ram Saini, Sunil Kamboj, Rajesh Kashyap, Jagdish Mann, Noor Mohammad, Dharamjit Sassouli, Manchand Lather, Devideyal Ledi, Gurdayal Sherpur, Devendra Sandhu and a large number of party workers.
PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK NOTE
This report is based on statements and information provided by INLD leaders during their visit to Jagadhri’s New Grain Market. Allegations regarding portal verification, shortages and delays in procurement have been attributed to the party and have not been presented as independently established facts. Government or procurement-agency responses, if issued, may provide additional context.
