Balbir Singh Sidhu Visits Bhagomajra Grain Market, Holds Talks with Officials Over Farmers’ Problems

Balbir Singh Sidhu Visits Bhagomajra Grain Market, Holds Talks with Officials Over Farmers’ Problems

Government Must Stop Harassing Punjab’s Farmers in Grain Markets : Balbir Singh Sidhu

S.A.S.Nagar 16 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Senior Congress leader and former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu today visited the grain market in Bhagomajra village and listened to the problems faced by farmers. Taking note of the delays in paddy procurement and lifting at the market, he spoke over the phone with IAS officer Varinder Kumar Sharma, Director of Food Supplies, and Vishesh Sarangal, Managing Director of Markfed. He demanded that the procurement and lifting of farmers’ crops be ensured without further delay. Sidhu said that the poor state of procurement arrangements in grain markets across Punjab was causing immense inconvenience to farmers. It was completely unacceptable that farmers should be forced to struggle in markets to sell their produce while the government remained a mere spectator. Wheat has reportedly been lying in the Saneta market for nearly six months, creating a shortage of space. There is neither adequate space to store the produce nor proper storage infrastructure. These circumstances raise serious questions about the government’s procurement arrangements.

He said that farmers should not have to bear the consequences of the monopolistic practices of rice millers or problems associated with procurement and lifting. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the timely lifting of crops from markets so that farmers do not have to wait unnecessarily to sell their produce. If the government cannot even provide basic facilities and efficient arrangements for farmers, what is the meaning of its claims of being farmer-friendly? Sidhu said that complaints of deductions ranging from ₹70 to ₹80 per quintal from paddy prices across Punjab were also a matter of serious concern. If deductions are being made from the value of farmers’ produce without a legitimate basis, it amounts to an injustice against their hard-earned income. The government must immediately investigate these complaints, clarify the reasons for the deductions and ensure that farmers receive the full value of their produce. Electricity supply and other basic facilities in the grain markets must also be improved.

He said that farmers work day and night to feed the nation, yet today they are being forced to struggle just to sell their own produce. The Punjab government must move beyond advertisements and tall claims and answer for the actual conditions faced by farmers in the grain markets. The Congress Party stands firmly with farmers in the fight for their rights and will continue to raise its voice against any injustice inflicted upon them. Those present on the occasion included Harkesh Chand Sharma Machhli Kalan, former Chairman of the Market Committee, Kharar, and senior Congress leader; Baljit Singh Bhagomajra; Avtar Singh Tari, former Sarpanch of Bhagomajra; Bhupinder Singh, Lambardar of Bhagomajra; Gagandeep Singh Baironpur; Charanjit Singh Manga Bhagomajra; and Karamjit Singh Bhagomajra, along with other prominent personalities.