46% procured wheat yet to be lifted in state
There is a wheat glut across Haryana, with nearly 46% of procured wheat yet to be lifted from the grain markets. The sluggish pace of lifting has raised concerns as there is a space crunch for the new arrival of grains.
The data of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department revealed that lifting operations are progressing at a slow pace, with the state recording an overall lifting percentage of 45.48%.
Rohtak (36.77%), Bhiwani (38.15%), Sirsa (38.25%), Fatehabad (39.12%), and Sonepat (43.40%) are currently below the state average. Panchkula has reported the lowest wheat lifting, with just 25.25% of stocks cleared. Kaithal also remains among the bottom performers at 26.05%, followed by Jind at 30.92%.
Districts with moderate lifting performance include Ambala (57.38%), Faridabad (59.13%), Gurugram (51.92%), Hisar (50.76%), and Karnal (55.10%). Similarly, Panipat (57.04%) and Kurukshetra (48.00%) are on the threshold, signalling that improvements in pace could boost the overall state performance.
Mewat has emerged as the top-performing district, recording 81.77%.
The District Food and Supplies Controller, Hisar, Amit Shekhawat said the sudden arrival of massive stocks by farmers due to the simultaneous harvesting season had resulted in pile-up in mandis, even as there has been smooth lifting operations in the district.
In Karnal, farmers unloading crop in fields
Karnal: Slow lifting of procured wheat has resulted in space crunch in several grain markets across the district, causing hardship to both farmers and arhtiyas amid the unfavourable weather conditions. In some grain markets, farmers are being forced to unload their produce outside the markets, or nearby fields.
As per district administration data, till April 20, 7,17,919 metric tonnes (MT) of wheat arrived in grain markets. Of the current arrivals, agencies have purchased 6,79,923 MT so far. However, only 3,57,795 MT, which is 53% of the procured wheat, has been lifted. The Food Department has lifted 58%, HAFED 46% and Warehousing Corporation 48%.
While Karnal and Gharaunda grain markets have recorded better performance—lifting 83% and 80%, respectively—other markets like Nigdhu, Assandh, and Sagga have recorded a mere 29% lifting, and Ballah 35%.
In Nigdhu, farmers say they are being forced to unload their wheat in fields. “We are already under pressure due to unpredictable rain last week. Now, the slow lifting has made things worse,” said Kashmir Lal, a farmer from Nigdhu.
Arhtiyas have also raised the issue with the authorities. “We have urged officials to take immediate steps to ease the situation,” said Subhash Chuchra, spokesperson of the Nigdhu Anaj Mandi Arhtiyas Association.
Similar concerns have been reported from Nilokheri and Assandh, where farmers are forced to keep their crop outside the grain markets, exposing it to risks from weather and theft.
Anil Kumar, District Food and Supplies Controller, assured that the situation would improve soon."Transporters have been directed to speed up the process. Our teams are also in the field to ensure timely lifting,” he said.
Yash Jaluka, Additional Deputy Commissioner, who has been appointed nodal officer for smooth procurement, said agencies had been instructed to visit grain markets and ensure that farmers did not face difficulties.
Haryana Tribune