The “Rice Bowl of Haryana” witnessed chaotic scenes today as the paddy procurement season shifted into high gear. The sheer volume of the harvest has outpaced the administrative arrangements, turning local grain markets into bottlenecks of idling machinery and anxious farmers.
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The Space Crunch: At the Thanesar New Grain Market, the arrival yard was completely covered with heaps of paddy by noon. With no space left to offload, tractor-trolleys were forced to wait on the service lanes and main roads, leading to traffic snarls. “I have been standing in line since 4 AM. The gate pass was issued, but there is no empty platform to dump my crop,” said a farmer from a nearby village.
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Lifting Delays: The primary cause of the congestion is the slow “lifting” of already purchased bags. Arhtiyas (commission agents) complained that the designated transporters had not deployed enough trucks to move the stock to rice mills or government warehouses. As a result, new arrivals cannot be processed.
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Moisture Content Disputes: Even as the government allows a moisture limit of up to 17%, many farmers faced rejection or were asked to dry their crop in the open, which further occupies valuable space. Recent late-September rains have made it difficult for farmers to bring perfectly dry grain to the market.
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Official Stance: Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal visited several mandis to review the situation. He directed procurement agencies to expedite the lifting process and ensure that the e-Kharid portal remains functional for smooth gate-pass issuance. The DC warned that any delay in payment to farmers (mandated within 48 hours) or lifting would result in action against the responsible officials.
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Farmer Union Protests: Members of the BKU (Charuni) staged a brief protest at the Thanesar mandi, demanding that the government increase the per-acre procurement limit and simplify the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) verification process, which they claim is causing unnecessary hurdles on the first day.
The Impact: The glut in Kurukshetra is a significant indicator for the rest of the state, as this district typically records the highest early-season arrivals. If the lifting pace does not improve within the next 48 hours, officials fear a complete shutdown of the mandis, which could lead to further unrest among the farming community.
