Farmers stage demonstration against tardy procurement of paddy

Paddy farmers, supported by Congress activists, today burnt the effigy of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for alleged tardy paddy procurement by government agencies and lower prices of basmati crop.

The protesters also staged sit-in outside the main gate of grain market on Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road and raised anti-government slogans.

Addressing them, PPCC General Secretary and former Punjab minister Joginder Singh Mann alleged that farmers were being given lower prices for basmati crop.

"Basmati crop is selling at just Rs 2,000-2,500 per quintal while during Congress regime it was fetching Rs 4,500-6,000 per quintal", he claimed.

He further alleged that paddy farmers were being harassed in mandis on the pretext of higher moisture and discolouration of grain which was leading to distress sale of paddy crop at many places.