Kurukshetra farmers protest over delay in sunflower procurement

Rakesh Kumar Bains, spokesperson of BKU (Charuni) said that it was clear that the mandi officials were ignoring the orders of the chief minister

Farmers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) (Charuni) on Wednesday staged a dharna outside Shahabad Grain Market in Kurukshetra against alleged delay on sunflower procurement.

Shahabad SDM Shambhu Rathi said that the procurement process has been smoothly initiated at the Shahabad Grain Market and all arrangements are being completed. (HT Photo for representation)

The purchase process of the crop was preponed to May 25, which was originally scheduled to begin on June 1. However, farmers claimed that the procurement had not started even by May 27 and gathered on Ladwa road outside the mandi, to stage a protest.

Rakesh Kumar Bains, spokesperson of BKU (Charuni) said that it was clear that the mandi officials were ignoring the orders of the chief minister. “This happens every year. Farmers are forced to agitate to sell their sunflower seeds and we have no interest in sitting on dharna in this scorching heat. The government has been misleading the farmers and did this again,” he added.

Shahabad SDM Shambhu Rathi said that the procurement process has been smoothly initiated at the Shahabad Grain Market and all arrangements are being completed.

“The administration will provide every facility to farmers, traders, and commission agents for the procurement process. The mandi was inspected and after hearing all parties, differences were resolved and the crop procurement process was initiated,” he added.