Hours before the Centre reviewed its order on paddy procurement in Punjab and Haryana, scores of farmers from both the states gheraoed offices of several deputy commissioners and residences of MLAs and ministers on Saturday morning in a bid to pressure the governments to start the process soon. Farmers broke police barricades and faced water cannons, including near Haryana CM M L Khattar’s house in Karnal, reports PTI.
It’s a victory for farmers, says Yogendra Yadav
As per the decision taken, the Haryana government has assured that paddy procurement will start from tomorrow (Sunday). They have made everything ready. Procurement in Punjab is already in process. From tomorrow, both states will begin buying,” Choubey said.
Khattar said, “Due to delay in monsoon’s retreat, the Centre had postponed start of procurement of paddy and millet from to 11. There are demands for an early start. The procurement will start tomorrow (Sunday).”
Yogendra Yadav of Samyukt Kisan Morcha, the umbrella body of farm unions protesting against the farms laws at Delhi borders, claimed it to be a “victory” for the farmers. On Thursday, the ministry had issued a statement saying, “Keeping in view the interest of farmers and to avoid any inconvenience to them, the department of food and public distribution has decided that procurement of paddy would commence from October 11.”