New Delhi: Acceding to farmers’ demand, the Centre today decided to begin procurement of paddy in Punjab and Haryana from Sunday (October 3) instead of October 11.
Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ashwini Kumar Choubey said kharif procurement would start in both states tomorrow.
“The decisions to start procurement as well as accept paddy stock as per FAQ specifications are in the overall interest of farmers and consumers,” an official statement read. The announcement came after Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar met the Union MoS. “I am happy Minister Choubey has accepted our request,” said Khattar.
Expressing gratitude, Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi said the decision would help ensure smooth and hassle-free procurement. “On Chief Minister Charanjit Channi’s request, the Centre allows Punjab to start paddy procurement from October 3. The Chief Minister thanks Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal intervention to resolve this issue expeditiously (sic),” the Punjab CMO tweeted. The Punjab CM had met PM Modi on Friday on the matter.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), an umbrella body of farm unions spearheading the protest against the three central agricultural laws, has called off the gherao of the houses of ministers, MLAs and MPs in the two states.
On Saturday, the protesters broke police barricades and faced water cannons, including near the Haryana CM’s house in Karnal. In Ambala, the police put up barricades to prevent farmers from gheraoing the residence of BJP MLA Aseem Goel. Tight security arrangements were made outside the house of Minister Anil Vij at Ambala Cantonment. In Punjab, farmers protested outside the residences of several Congress MLAs, including Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh in Ropar and MLA Harjot Kamal in Moga.
Drop cases: Channi to Rly Board chief
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday urged the Railway Board Chairman to withdraw cases filed by the Railway Protection Force against members of various farm organisations, pleading that a sympathetic view be taken.