Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Nov 5: Kissan Union Kathua and Hiranagar blamed the FCI and State Government for delaying the procurement of paddy which has been dumped in the Sabzi Mandi Procuring Centre at Kathua, Palli, Nagri-Parole.
Kissan Union said that Kathua district producing the paddy crop in 25,000 acres of land and similarly in Samba district on 24,000 acres the paddy crop is grown. They said when the farmers start harvesting the crop they inform to the Agriculture Department and Civil administration for installment of the procurement outlets at the approachable sites. Kissan Union while appreciating the revised rate of the Paddy as Rs. 1500 and Rs. 1550 per quintal alleged that the Food Corporation of India is not supporting the farmers and the farmers fear worst due to slow pace of paddy procurement. The farmers are also not being provided timely the basic infrastructure including jute bags etc.
The Union leaders Jai Singh, Dharam Singh, Mohinder Singh said that the FCI officials were not supporting the J&K farmers and show reluctance in lifting the paddy laying in open at procurement centre at Sabzi Mandi which will be damaged in case there is a rain fall. Farmers Kulbir Singh and Jai Singh said that State Government’s withdrawal from the paddy procurement after reporting of the misappropriations by the societies, the farmers of the State were forced to sell the paddy stocks at less rate to the mills and traders. They also suggested to revive the old societies pattern for the paddy procurement at the village level and providing better infrastructure.
When connected to Nodal Officer Sanjeev Rai said that only 15000 qtls paddy has been purchased by the FCI. He also said the farmers of the Kathua district are very capable and technocrats in agriculture and produced paddy and Kharief crops in over marks and charges of the farmers is very justified and he also hope that FCI will carry out the problems of the farmers because the Kharief cultivation season will start from the November 15.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
