Other States - Punjab   

Wheat procurement hit as farmers boycott grain markets

CHANDIGARH: Local farmers' organisations on Monday prevented ryots from selling their produce in markets across Punjab in protest against import of wheat and lower Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the foodgrain.

The boycott called by Bharitya Kisan Union (Rajewal), BKU (Lakhowal) and BKU (Ekta) was described as ``succesful and peaceful'' by BKU (Rajewal) general secretary Balbir Singh Rajewal.

``Our activists are persuading farmers not to sell their produce for the next two days. The boycott call is successful as farmers are taking back their wheat crop from the gates of grain markets in the State,'' he told PTI on the first day of the two-day boycott.

However, transactions took place on foodgrain brought as of Sunday, he added.

Several grain markets, including Khanna and Bathinda, had been receiving about a lakh quintal of wheat each day during the peak season of procurement.

Describing Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar as ``anti-farmer,'' Mr. Rajewal said the Minister was not bothered about farmers of Punjab, even though their contribution to the national foodgrain poll was 40 per cent and 60 per cent for rice and wheat, respectively.

``If the Government can spend Rs 950 per quintal on import of wheat then why could it not give the same price to farmers here,'' he asked.

Punjab's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Avtar Henry said the State Government had already apprised the Centre about the situation and demanded immediate announcement of the enhanced MSP for wheat, which is currently Rs 650 per quintal.

The District Food and Supplies Department claimed that in Moga grain market about 30 per cent farmers responded to the boycott call. However in rural areas including Baghapurana, Charik and Daudhar mandis both arrival and procurement was normal.

In Hoshiarpur, there was no impact as farmers brought wheat to the procurement centres as usual,. Daljit Singh Bhatia, District Food and Supply Controller said. . PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Wheat procurement hit as farmers boycott grain markets
PPCC revamp soon: Oscar

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu