Basmati Farmers Stop Auction, Allege Traders, Millers Exploiting Them

0
149

FAZILKA – Hundreds of local basmati growers have refused to sell pusa 1121 variety of basmati, alleging cartels were exploiting them at the grain market.

They further alleged the government had failed to ensure a remunerative price for them. Farmers took out a protest march in the local grain market and staged a dharna outside the office of the sub-divisional magistrate, demanding higher price for their produce.

The auction of the fine variety of 1121 basmati started yesterday at 2.30 pm after 10 days of its arrival in the market. Private traders and rice mill owners offered Rs 1,625 per quintal to farmers. But today Sub-Divisional Magistrate Subhash Khatak asked the rice mill owners to buy paddy at a higher rate.

When the traders only offered to purchase basmati for Rs 1,650 per quintal, farmers were enraged. They then announced that they wouldn’t sell their produce.

“We should be paid Rs 2,500 per quintal as basmati rice is fetching Rs 4,000 per quintal in the international market,” said farmers Boota Singh of Pakka Chisti village. Sources said about 32,000 quintals of 1121 basmati had arrived in the Fazilka grain market alone so far and only 200 quintals had been purchased.

“It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that farmers get their due,” said Balkar Singh and Harnek Singh of nearby village Rana.

Ranjam Kamra, spokesman, Basmati Rice Mill Owners’ Association, Punjab, said basmati rice was a global product, which was not fetching a remunerative price at present. “Since millers are facing financial losses, they are not in a position to offer higher prices for basmati,” he said. Although SDM Subhash Khatak tried to pacify the farmers, the deadlock continued.