Procurement agencies issued notice over tardy wheat lifting

The Market Committee here has issued notice of demurrage to all four procurement agencies over tardy lifting in the grain markets of the district.

Committee secretary Mandeep Raheja said notices had been issued to procurement agencies — Markfed, Punsup, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation and Pungrain — for not lifting the procured wheat within stipulated period of three days from the Fazilka grain market.

Arhtiya Association president Sanjeev Goldy Sachdeva said more than 9 lakh bags of 50 kg each had been lying in the grain market. He said there was dearth of space for new arrivals in the grain market due to non-lifting of wheat, resulting in inconvenience to farmers.

Moreover, the movement of vehicles and farmers was also restricted as stacks of weighed wheat have occupied most space in one of the biggest grain markets in the region.

It is alleged that the authorities were going soft on contractors, who have a considerable political clout. It is stated that the contractors were allegedly not able to provide the desired number of trucks for prompt lifting. It is alleged that extra amount is being demanded from the commission agents for early lifting of the procured wheat from the rural areas.

A delegation of Arhtiya Association led by Sanjeev Sachdeva today met Fazilka MLA Narinder Pal Singh Sawna and demanded early lifting of wheat from the Fazilka grain market.

Punjab