Farmers lose as firms tinker with weighing of paddy
: At a time when farmers in the state are already grappling with 10-15% dip in paddy yield due to rainfall in September, they are facing another problem of under-weighing of paddy bags by private firms.
Farmers claim that on an average, this widespread and open fleecing is causing them a loss of 4% on payment due for the produce sold. This means that even as the paddy bags weigh around 104kg on the weighing machine that farmers use, they are being paid for only 100kg, as this is the ‘official weight’ that private firms record.
Bathinda mandi officer Jaswinder Singh said, “We have penalised three firms by imposing a fine on the basis of the weight that is short. The firm is also made to compensate the farmers.”
However, dissatisfied farmers, under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Dakhaunda) and Sidhupur, protested at Ballianwali in Bathinda on Friday and Saturday. Addressing the protesters, Mahinder Singh, president BKU (Dakaunda), said, “By this, we are suffering monetary losses and we demand a strict action.”
Protests were also held in Mamdot of Ferozepur. Krantikari Kisan Union Punjab, district Ferozepur president, Gurmeet Singh Mehma, said, “On Thursday evening, we brought the matter of underweighing in the Fatte Wala Hithad grain market before market committee officials. This loot of farmers should stop.”
Ferozepur Mandi officer Swarn Singh said, “We have imposed a fine of ₹60,000 on more than 30 firms for this problem.” Mamdot market committee secretary Satnam Singh Dhillon said, “We are keeping a strict vigil in the grain market. As per rules, firms are fined on the basis of the weight they are found to have weighed short.”