The North News
Chandigarh/ Delhi, April 3
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, raised concerns in Parliament over issues affecting crop procurement in Punjab. Speaking during zero hour, he called for the immediate resolution of problems faced by commission agents (arhtiyas) and sheller owners.
Hayer demanded that the commission for arhtiyas on wheat and paddy be restored to 2.5% of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), as it was before 2019-20. He argued that inflation has significantly increased costs since then, forcing arhtiyas to protest and disrupting procurement operations in the state.
The MP also urged the central government to deploy additional railway specials for Punjab to expedite the lifting of paddy from storage facilities. He noted that while paddy was previously transported out of the state by March-April, delays now extend beyond six months, exacerbating storage shortages and causing significant financial losses. The stagnation, he said, has led to the closure of several shellers, further impacting Punjab’s agricultural supply chain.
Hayer stressed the need for swift intervention to prevent disruptions in the upcoming procurement season and ensure farmers and stakeholders do not suffer further losses.
