Chandigarh, 20 October 2024: Punjab farmers from BKU (Doaba) and BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) have announced plans for an indefinite blockade of the national highway in Phagwara, starting October 21 over slow pace of paddy purchases in mandis throughout the state.
BKU (Doaba) President Manjit Singh Rai stated, “We will begin our dharna at 10 a.m. in front of the sugar mill. Tractors loaded with unsold paddy will surround the highway, forcing commuters to find alternative routes. We understand this is a festive time, and people may feel inconvenienced, but we face an urgent issue.”
Union General Secretary Satnam S. Sahni criticized the government for the situation. “He urged us to plant the PR-126 paddy variety, promising timely collection of our yield. Now we’re told that millers are refusing to accept it due to a 5% lower post-milling yield. We followed the CM’s advice, and now he must ensure the lifting of our crops,” Sahni asserted.
Kulwinder Singh Machhiana, Jalandhar District President of BKU (Ekta Sidhupur), added, “We’ve been informed that our paddy variety has a 62% post-milling yield, below the government standard of 67%. However, it’s not our fault for sowing it. The government should have monitored the sale of non-certified seeds.”
Farmer leaders expressed concerns over the full mandis, stating, “Since October 1, actual purchases occurred only for 3-4 days. Most mandis lack any purchase records, delaying our payments. If it rains, our produce left exposed will be ruined, and the government will be accountable for this negligence.”
