Government advances paddy procurement date to Oct 3 in Punjab & Haryana

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The government on Sturday issued an order to commence paddy procurement in Punjab and Haryana from October 3. This comes on the back of massive protests from farmers of these two states who objected the decision from the centre to postpone the procurement till October 11, due to heavy rains. In a letter written by the union food ministry official, to the governments of Punjab and Haryana that paddy should be procured as the FAQ (fair and average quality) norms prescribed for the 2021-22 Kharif marketing season.

The union food ministry said that the decision to start the procurement of paddy under MSP (Minimum Support Price ) from October 3 in Punjab and Haryana is in the overall interest of farmers and consumers, as well so as to accept paddy stock as per FAQ specifications to ensure quality procurement for millions of consumers under PDS of National Food Security Programme, in a seperate statement.

Farmers protest in Punjab and Haryana

Kharif Kharif crops, paddy and millet were supposed to be procured from October 1, however due to heavy rains, the centre had to push the procurement date to October 11, as the moisture content was beyond permissible limits.

Farmers were angered by the decision with many protesting on Saturday in several parts of both the states, laying siege to houses of many ministers, MPs and MLAs.

In Karnal Haryana, Farmers broke police barricades and faced water cannons, including near Chief Minister Khattar’s house.

There were incidents of protests outside residences of several Congress legislators, including state assembly Speaker Rana K P Singh in Rupnagar and MLA Harjot Kamal in Moga, in Punjab.