Hooda Condemns 'Complete Breakdown' of Haryana's Crop Procurement System
In a scathing critique of the agricultural administration in Haryana, Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda has declared a "complete breakdown" in the state's crop procurement mechanism. During a visit to the Sohna grain market on Monday, Hooda directed Congress MLAs and senior party officials to "visit grain markets daily, summon officials on-site and hold them accountable" to address the escalating crisis.
Farmers and Commission Agents in 'Acute Distress'
Hooda, who has been touring mandis across multiple districts including Sampla, Naraingarh, Sadhaura, Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal, asserted that farmers and commission agents (arhtiyas) are facing acute distress due to administrative failures and a non-functional digital procurement portal. He highlighted that the gap between crop arrivals and actual procurement is "widening", leaving cultivators stranded with unsold produce and mounting frustrations.
"Neither is the portal working, nor are gate passes being issued. There is no bidding, and no procurement is taking place," Hooda stated after interacting with farmers, arhtiyas, and laborers at the Sohna mandi. He described the procurement process as having virtually come to a standstill, with basic supplies like gunny bags (bardana) unavailable in warehouses.
Bureaucratic Hurdles and Delayed Payments
The Congress leader accused the state government of trapping farmers in unnecessary bureaucratic procedures designed to delay procurement and avoid payments of the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He detailed a series of cumbersome requirements that have slowed operations:
- Mandatory portal registration
- Gate passes issuance
- Biometric verification
- Tractor registration numbers
- Guarantor conditions
These measures, according to Hooda, have exacerbated the situation despite heavy crop arrivals in markets, leading to delays in procurement, lifting, and payments that are fueling anger among the agricultural community.
Call for Legislative Action and Protests
Emphasizing the role of a strong opposition, Hooda urged legislators to formally register objections wherever negligence is found and, if necessary, stage sit-ins or protests. "Haryana currently has a strong Opposition and Congress has committed itself to fulfilling its responsibility with diligence," he asserted, underscoring the party's commitment to oversight.
During his visit, Hooda summoned local officials to the mandi, apprised them of the issues, and demanded immediate corrective steps. The event was attended by several Congress functionaries, including Aftab Ahmed, Jitendra Bhardwaj, Sukhbir Kataria, Vardhan Yadav, Pankaj Dawar, and Manish Khatana, signaling a coordinated party response to the procurement failures.
This development highlights ongoing tensions in Haryana's agricultural sector, with Hooda positioning the Congress as a vigilant force against administrative lapses that threaten farmer welfare and economic stability.
