In a partial relief for Punjab, commission agents, or arhtiyas, will continue to buy Basmati rice and cotton, though they are still boycotting paddy procurement by state agencies. This decision followed a meeting with state officials. Mandi laborers remain on strike but will reassess their position on Friday, demanding better pay and conditions.

CHANDIGARH: In a partial relief for both state govt and farmers, the arhtiyas (commission agents) have agreed to participate in the purchase of Basmati rice and cotton in the state, even as their boycott of procurement of paddy by state agencies for the Central pool would continue.

Meanwhile, the mandi labour, which has also been on strike, will decide its future course of action at a meeting of its executive members on Friday.

Basmati varieties like the early maturing 1509 are bought by private players and the state procurement agencies have no role in it.

Vijay Kalra, president of the Punjab Arhtiyas’ Association, told TOI that in the interest of the farmers, the arhtiyas have acceded to the state govt’s request during a marathon meeting with chief secretary Anurag Verma and chief principal secretary to CM, VK Singh, on Thursday evening.

“Basmati rice is prone to discoloration and farmers could suffer losses in case it is not purchased on time. The state government asked us to open the mandis for basmati. I pointed out that mandis will not be able to function properly without the participation of the labour and the rice millers. The officials said they would hold a separate meeting with Anaj Mandi Mazdoor Sangh on Friday. In view of this, we have decided to participate in the basmati purchase,” said Kalra.

The arhtiyas have, meanwhile, maintained that they will not participate in paddy procurement until Etheir commission is hiked and the impasse with the rice sellers is not resolved and they agree to accep DUR paddy stocks.

“We have been also assured that a meeting will be arranged with the chief minister soon on our demand for hike in commission for paddy procurement by the state agencies. The officials said the matter had already been taken up with the Centre,” he said. Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of another

Punjab Arhtiyas Association, said arhtiyas were of the view that farmers should not suffer.

Farmers are ready to sell their basmati 1509 produce. It matures in 115 days which is 30 days early to Pusa Basmati 1121 and saves 3-4 imigations and due to early maturity gives ample time to the farmers for wheat field preparation leading to reduction in residue burning.

Sunny Khatak, president of the Anaj Mandi Mazdoor Sangh, said the mandi labour would continue to strike work until their demands are met but the situation would be reassessed at a meeting of the core committee of the union on Friday. On Tuesday, the deadlock between Punjab arhtiyas and mandi labourers had continued as their meeting with the state govt remained inconclusive.

The arthiyas are protesting against the state agencies asking them to pay for the loss due to lesser weight of the produce after the moisture levels fall and the move to suspend their licences in case farmers bring grains with high moisture content.

They also supporting the labour unions demand for a 25% hike in charges for unloading, weighing/cleaning of the grains to bring it on a par with Haryana.

Published Date: October 4, 2024