The CM said that the state government has already enhanced the labour charges adding that if needed he will explore possibility of further increasing it.

Written by Kanchan Vasdev

Adopting a tough stance against the constant disruption in paddy procurement, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Saturday warned the stakeholders that his government will not allow any “blackmailing” and if need arises, it will not hesitate in getting the rice milled from outside the state.

“We have a plan B ready for getting the milling of rice done to safeguard the interests of food growers. Blackmailing will not be allowed and, if needed, the state government will not hesitate to get the milling of rice done outside the state,” Mann said.

Stating that millers were not willing to mill the paddy at the behest of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Mann warned that if they (millers) will not listen to the government, it will take all operations in its own hands.

Punjab Rice Millers’ Association president Tarsem Saini said that the government was most welcome to get the milling done from outside. “This is not a threat by the CM. It is a proposal. I want to say that the CM is most welcome to get paddy milled from outside the state. We have made it clear that we do not want to mill paddy,” said Saini.

Meanwhile, the protesting farmers gave an ultimatum to CM, saying they will announce a “big decision” if the state government fails to ensure smooth paddy procurement within four days.

The rice millers have refused to mill the paddy complaining of space crunch for storing the fresh crop. They want the Centre to liquidate the existing wheat and rice stock to create sufficient space for the fresh arrival. Rice millers have also expressed concern over the out-turn ratio (post milling yield) of the PR-126 paddy variety, claiming that it will lead to huge losses to them. They have said the out-turn ratio of PR-126 is less than 67 per cent, the norm fixed by the Centre. They have refused to mill the paddy till their demands were met.

The AAP government has been facing flak from farmers and the opposition parties who have been alleging that paddy procurement and lifting process is not up to mark.Out of total 16.37 lakh tonne paddy procured in Punjab, only 2.62 lakh tonne has been lifted, leading to a glut in mandis.

Mann, who held a meeting with a delegation of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), said that the state government is firmly committed to the smooth and hassle free procurement of paddy and it is duty-bound to make every effort to ensure that the government’s decision is duly implemented.

Mann sought two days time from the farmers to get the paddy lifted. Following this the delegation, led by Balbir Singh Rajewal, said they would lift the ongoing dharna from Kisan Bhawan.

“We have decided to give him four days. But if the situation remains the same even after four days, we will announce a big action,” Rajewal said after the meeting.Mann, meanwhile, said he is personally monitoring smooth and hassle-free procurement and lifting of grains and no stone will be left unturned for it.

He said the state government has already made elaborate arrangements for purchasing the harvest of farmers as soon as it arrives in mandis.

Sources said the CM told the S KM delegation that the government was ready with tarpaulin sheets and other material for the stacking. He said they would get the paddy procured and lifted, if the arhtiyas refuse to do so. He said that the state government is committed to procure and lift every single grain of the produce of farmers adding that no farmer will celebrate festival of Diwali in Mandis.

Mann, in a statement later, said that that some forces inimical to the state are trying to politicise this matter at cost of farmers.He also said that distress sale of the paddy will not be allowed and severest of severe action will be taken against officers found responsible for it. He said that 185 lakh tonne paddy is expected this year in the market for which 2,651 mandis have been set up across the state. He said around 18.31 lakh tonne paddy has arrived in mandis out of which 16.37 lakh tonne has been purchased and payment worth Rs 3,000 crore made to farmers.

Mann said that last year the milling of paddy had taken place late due to which the current problem of space is arising. He added that after he flagged the issue, Union Minister Parlhad Joshi assured to transport out 120 lakh tonne rice by March 2025.

The CM added that he has already taken up the issues of millers and arthias with the Centre adding that the Union government has agreed to most of demands

He said that experts of Punjab Agricultural University has repeatedly emphasised that as compared to long duration variety (Pusa 44), PR-126 saves 20-25 per cent water. Likewise, it has lesser straw load (10%), provides 25-40 days more window period for residue management along with saving of about Rs. 5,000 per acre of input costs thereby immensely benefitting the farmers.The CM said that the state government has already enhanced the labour charges adding that if needed he will explore possibility of further increasing it. He said that the state government has already decided not to award the contract of left over material from mandis of Punjab from the year 2023-24. Mann said that this decision has been taken to raise the standard of living of poor tribes/people adding that it is being implemented meticulously.

The CM said that the state government is vehemently raising up the issue of smooth supply of DAP fertilisers with the Centre.

Published Date: October 20, 2024