Rohtak: Leader of the opposition in the Haryana assembly, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, on Sunday demanded the immediate commencement of paddy procurement, and said while the arrival of paddy and bajra (pearl millet) is in full swing at the mandis, the failure to start govt procurement is forcing farmers to sell their crops at rates up to ₹400 per quintal lower than expected“Farmers are being deprived not only of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) but also of basic amenities in the mandis. The govt has not made proper arrangements for storing the crop, no weighing scales, and no provisions made for lifting or handling the produce. To make matters worse, the govt has once again imposed limits, forcing farmers to endure long waits,” he said.On Sunday, the former Haryana chief minister addressed meetings in Nandal, Chiri, Katwara, Khidwali, Ghuskani, Jindran, and Titauli villages.Speaking on the occasion, Hooda noted that the BJP had come to power promising farmers a rate of ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy. “Yet today, farmers’ paddy is being sold in the mandis at rates even lower than the MSP, as the govt has neither initiated procurement nor honored its election pledge,” he said.He asserted that the BJP ascended to power by making false promises and stealing votes. “This is precisely why the govt has completely lost the public’s confidence. Today, every section of society in the state is disillusioned with this government and is taking to the streets to fight for their rights,” he stated.
