E-Paper
Tardy wheat lifting leads to glut at grain market in Karnal
As per the figures, the purchase centres in the district have recorded an arrival of 6.80 lakh metric tonne (MT) till Saturday, up from 6.40 lakh MT till Friday with most arrivals recorded at Karnal new grain market, Taroari and Assandh
As peak wheat harvesting brings a steady grain supply in Haryana grain markets, slow lifting operations have choked procurement centres in Karnal, leaving almost no room for new arrivals.
As per the figures, the purchase centres in the district have recorded an arrival of 6.80 lakh metric tonne (MT) till Saturday, up from 6.40 lakh MT till Friday with most arrivals recorded at Karnal new grain market, Taroari and Assandh.
Officials said that the procurement agencies have so far purchased 5.50 lakh MT of wheat, of which only 1.41 lakh MT has been lifted, which is nearly 26%. At the new grain market on NH 44, farmers have lined up with their tractor-trailers, loaded with crops, waiting to get their gate passes issued.
Sukhchain Singh, an elderly farmer from Kutail said, “I came late this year as I heard that the e-Kharid portal was facing some glitches. I’ve come now to sell my crop, but it took a long time to get my biometric done.”
Another farmer Amit Mehla from Baldi village said, “There is a huge rush at the mandi and lifting is very slow. Due to less space, I am now forced to wait outside my commission agent’s office, hoping for the process to begin at the earliest.”
Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sir Chhotu Ram faction) Bahadur Mehla said that the state government had promised that farmers would face no difficulties in selling their produce and the payments for crops would be credited to farmers’ accounts within 48 to 72 hours.
“It is both surprising and distressing that farmers have yet to receive payments for their crops, even after a lapse of eight to 10 days. A farmer cannot receive his payment until his crop is lifted and reaches the godowns. For all this delay, the officials are directly responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, deputy commissioner (DC) Anand Kumar Sharma inspected the Jundla and Assandh grain markets to review wheat procurement, lifting arrangements, and the gate pass system. He said that directions have been issued to expedite lifting, so that farmers do not face any problems.
“The government’s priority is to ensure timely purchase, lifting, and payment of farmers’ crops. I’ve also instructed all nodal officers and supervisors to regularly visit the markets,” the DC added.
