Punjab: Farmers sought guidance from the government on paddy sowing

Punjab: Punjab farmers have sought advice from the government and Punjab Agricultural University on the appropriate variety of paddy, so that price cutting can be prevented during the procurement process. In a memorandum submitted to the district administration, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Qadian) district president Nishan Singh and senior leader Master Buta Singh have raised concerns over the price cutting done by the procurement agencies. According to the farmers, they had sown hybrid varieties of Parmal paddy PR 106 and PR 131 following the government’s advice. However, Buta Singh alleged that the procurement agencies in connivance with the mill owners have imposed unfair price cuts on the farmers citing low quality of paddy. The procured paddy is later sent to the mill owners for custom milling.

The farmers claimed that in the last season they were fined heavily on the pretext of low quality paddy, along with steep price cuts. Buta Singh has demanded the government to organize Kisan Mela to educate farmers about paddy varieties, so that such problems can be avoided during procurement. The paddy sowing season is scheduled to begin in May. Apart from this, farmers have also raised concerns over the Punjab government’s decision to impose stamp duty on the transfer of property between blood relatives. Farmer leaders criticized the new policy, saying that the previous government had exempted this fee, but under the Mann government it now ranges from 1% to 2.5%. They have strongly opposed the move and warned that they will strongly protest if the proposal is not withdrawn.