Wheat and Mustard procurement stalled in markets; Nayab government keeping farmers in queues for hours: Anurag Dhanda

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): Aam Aadmi Party National Media In-charge Anurag Dhanda launched a sharp attack on the Haryana BJP government and Chief Minister Nayab Singh, stating that the government procurement of wheat and mustard in the state has completely collapsed. Despite procurement starting on April 1, conditions in the markets (mandis) are so dire that farmers are wandering from pillar to post to sell their crops, while the government and agencies have proven to be utter failures.

Anurag Dhanda noted that in just two days, nearly 70,000 metric tons of wheat reached the state's markets, but government procurement has been restricted to around a mere 3%. In several districts, procurement hasn't even begun despite the arrival of crops. Farmers are being turned away under the pretext of moisture content.

He stated that this is not just negligence but direct injustice to farmers. On one hand, the farmer reaches the market with his crop after back-breaking labor; on the other, the government is hunting for excuses to avoid purchasing it.

Anurag Dhanda revealed that on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal, data for 38,877 acres belonging to 1,280 farmers is mismatched, preventing them from selling their crops. In Mewat alone, data for approximately 19,923 acres is incorrect. This is a clear administrative failure and an act of injustice.

He further mentioned that the biometric verification system in the markets has failed entirely. It takes 15–20 minutes for a single farmer’s verification; in many places, fingerprints do not match, and in others, servers are down. In districts like Dadri, Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Rohtak, only 20–30% of verifications have been completed so far.

He highlighted that the markets lack drinking water, cleanliness, adequate gunny bags (bardana), labor, and technical facilities. Farmers stand in line from 5 AM, yet their crops remain unpurchased by evening.

Taking a dig at CM Nayab Singh, Anurag Dhanda said, "Even school or college students wouldn't manage things this poorly. If procurement isn't happening despite the entire government and administration being involved, it is a direct failure of the CM." He added that the BJP government has a track record of being anti-farmer, and the same mindset is evident now. Farmers were first harassed during mustard procurement, and now the same game is being played with wheat.

Anurag Dhanda questioned why the government set out to procure crops at all if the portal isn't working, gunny bags aren't available, and there is no labor, water, or cleanliness. He called it a mere attempt to mislead farmers and put on a show in the name of MSP (Minimum Support Price).

He remarked that farmers are already distressed by the weather—with hailstorms and gales damaging crops in many places—and now the government’s policies are breaking their backs. Even those whose crops survived are not being allowed to sell.

Anurag Dhanda demanded that the government immediately fix the arrangements in all markets, repair the portal and biometric systems, provide sufficient gunny bags and labor, and ensure immediate procurement at MSP.

He warned that if this injustice against farmers does not stop, the Aam Aadmi Party will take to the streets in protest alongside the farmers and expose the BJP government’s anti-farmer policies across the state.