Chandigarh: Sirsa MP and Congress general secretary Kumari Selja has urged the Centre to review the procurement and mandi handling system and implement a comprehensive welfare policy for thousands of mandi workers in Haryana, especially in Sirsa and other grain-producing districts.Raising the issue in Parliament under Rule 377, the former Union minister said registered mandi workers had for decades been central to cleaning, grading, loading and handling foodgrains procured under the minimum support price system. Their work, she said, also helped maintain the quality of grain supplied through the public distribution system.Selja said changes in procurement and grain-handling practices were shrinking the traditional role of these workers and threatening their livelihoods. “Mandi workers have been an important link in the agricultural procurement system for decades. Any change in the system must take into account their employment and the economic security of their families,” she said.She also flagged farmers facing deductions in the name of cleaning and improving grain quality in the absence of adequate scientific processing facilities. Such practices, Selja said, could hurt farmers while also reducing work opportunities for mandi labourers.The Congress functionary sought transparent and scientific cleaning and grading of foodgrains in line with prescribed standards.Selja said govt’s responsibility could not end with procurement. Workers who keep the system running often function in difficult conditions and face occupational risks without adequate social security. She demanded health and accident insurance, pension support and, wherever feasible, ESI-type benefits for registered mandi workers.She also sought basic healthcare facilities at major mandis so that workers could receive timely treatment in case of illness or workplace accidents.Calling for a balanced policy, Selja said modern technology and scientific processes were needed to improve procurement, but modernisation should not come at the cost of livelihoods.The Centre must protect the interests of farmers, mandi workers and consumers by ensuring fair returns for farmers, job security for workers and quality grain for consumers, she added.
