‘Tardy’ wheat procurement sparks farm union stir, oppn attack in Punjab

Chandigarh/Bathinda: Wheat procurement in Punjab continued to face criticism on Thursday, with BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) staging protests at deputy commissioner offices and opposition parties slamming what they called "tardy" buying of the crop.Farmer groups alleged that slow procurement and the absence of relaxation in quality norms had forced farmers to wait in mandis for up to five–six days. BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) held protests for nearly three hours, accusing both the Centre and the state govt of failing to address farmers' concerns. The agitation is set to intensify, with farm unions, including Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Azad Kisan Morcha (AKM), announcing a three-hour rail blockade on Friday. Farmers are demanding relaxation in procurement norms, citing crop damage across over 1.3 lakh acres due to unseasonal rain and hail. Experts said extreme heat followed by rain impacted grain quality, leading to shrivelling and discolouration. Opposition parties targeted the AAP govt over the delay. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged Punjab acted late in seeking relaxation compared to Haryana and Rajasthan, where norms were eased earlier. He claimed farmers were being "humiliated in mandis" due to lack of procurement. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also blamed the state govt for not acting in time, while Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said procurement agencies were reluctant to purchase wheat, leaving farmers stranded for days. Warring added that while neighbouring states secured relaxations, Punjab farmers were still awaiting relief, aggravating distress in mandis. Protests at DC offices over slow procurementFarmers waiting 5–6 days in mandis to sell cropRail blockade call by SKM, KMM, AKM on FridayDemand for relaxation in quality norms after crop damageOpposition alleges delay by Punjab govt vs Haryana, Rajasthan