Kumari Selja Questions Haryana Paddy Procurement and MSP Delay

Sirsa MP, former Union Cabinet Minister, AICC general secretary and Congress Working Committee member Kumari Selja has raised concern over the pace of paddy procurement in Haryana’s grain markets and urged the state government to immediately strengthen arrangements for procurement, lifting and timely payment to farmers.

Selja said that during her visits to several mandis in Haryana, she had found farmers waiting to sell their produce and raised questions over the adequacy of procurement and lifting arrangements. She referred to published figures showing that around 7.07 lakh tonnes of paddy had arrived in the state’s mandis, while procurement was reported at about 1.38 lakh tonnes. She said that if the figures are accurate, the gap requires immediate attention because large quantities of harvested paddy could remain exposed in the mandis.

Selja Seeks Faster Procurement and Lifting»

The Congress leader said complaints were emerging about delays in procurement and concerns that farmers could face pressure to sell their crop below the Minimum Support Price if government procurement does not move at the required pace. She questioned why farmers were still having to wait after bringing their produce to the mandis when arrangements had been announced before the procurement season.

Selja said the procurement process needs coordinated action at every stage, including verification, weighing, purchase, storage, transportation and lifting. A delay in any of these stages can leave farmers waiting with their harvested crop and can add to the financial pressure already faced after a season of cultivation.

Rain Threat Adds to Farmers’ Concerns»

With the possibility of rain, Selja urged the government to ensure immediate protection of paddy lying in the open. She called for adequate sheds, tarpaulins, gunny bags and transportation facilities and sought faster procurement and lifting so that farmers do not suffer losses because of delays.

She asked the government to clarify why procurement was moving slowly despite paddy having already reached the mandis and who would be responsible if farmers were unable to receive the full MSP in time. Selja said farmers needed the assured value of their produce and timely payment rather than assurances alone.

Congress Campaign on Voting Rights and Electoral Process»

In a separate development, following the opposition MPs’ demonstration in Delhi, Selja said the Congress would continue its campaign on issues that it says concern democratic institutions, voting rights and the electoral process.

She said the “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao” campaign would be strengthened across the country and that the party would continue seeking accountability over allegations concerning voter lists and the electoral process. The Congress announced on October 5 a nationwide campaign that includes marches, meetings and other programmes, while demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and changes in the electoral system.

Opposition MPs subsequently marched towards the Election Commission in Delhi on October 6, demanding action against the Chief Election Commissioner. The Election Commission and the government have rejected allegations of wrongdoing, while the opposition has continued to raise questions about the electoral-roll revision process.

Selja said the Congress would continue to raise the issue through peaceful democratic means and described the campaign as a fight concerning citizens’ voting rights and democratic participation. Her remarks come amid an intensified political debate over electoral-roll revision and the role of the Election Commission.