Rs 24cr dues pending for bajra: Rewari farmers

Rewari: A section of farmers in the Rewari district has alleged that payments worth over Rs 24 crore under the ‘Bhavantar Bharpayee Yojana (price differential scheme)' remain pending for bajra, prompting renewed demands for the immediate release of dues and compensation for crop losses.The issue was highlighted by Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Rewari district president Samay Singh, who claimed that a substantial portion of the payments relating to the 2023 bajra crop season has yet to reach farmers despite repeated representations before the district administration and state authorities.According to Singh, nearly 80,000 quintals of bajra sold under the scheme in the Rewari district are linked to pending payments. He said farmers have held several rounds of meetings with administrative officials, submitted memorandums on multiple occasions and staged demonstrations, but the matter remains unresolved."Farmers are facing financial hardship due to the delay, and despite repeated requests, no concrete action has been taken so far," Singh alleged.He further claimed that nearly 10% of the payments under the 2025 Bhavantar scheme for bajra are also pending. In addition, around 145 gate passes issued for bajra sales were not approved, resulting in several farmers allegedly being deprived of benefits under the scheme.The BKU leader also raised concerns regarding compensation for crop losses. According to him, although a compensation portal was opened to provide relief to affected cultivators, only around 40% of farmers received payments, while a large number continue to await compensation.Singh also referred to losses caused by unseasonal rain, claiming that approximately 600 quintals of mustard stored in the grain market were damaged after being submerged in rainwater. However, he alleged that official records acknowledged damage to only 17 quintals, leaving many affected farmers without compensation.Rajendra Kumar, a farmer from Gudiyani village, claimed that payment related to 80 quintals of bajra sold in 2023 is still pending. He further alleged that his son, Basant Kumar, has not received payment for 40 quintals of bajra under the 2023 scheme and 35 quintals under the 2025 scheme."We have travelled to Chandigarh several times and met senior officials. Every time we were told that there was no budget available and that payments would be released once funds were allocated. We have also met the Rewari deputy commissioner on multiple occasions, but the amount has not been credited so far," Rajendra Kumar said.Similar allegations were made by Ratiram, a farmer from Balawas Jamapur village. He claimed that nearly 20 farmers from his village are yet to receive their bajra payments for 2023.Responding to the farmers' claims, Rewari DC Abhishek Meena said that payments under govt schemes are transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. "The payment is credited directly to farmers' accounts. However, I am not aware of the specifics of this particular case at the moment. I will get the matter examined," Meena said.