Tribune News Service
Sangrur/Moga, October 24
Despite tall claims, unseasonal rain of a few hours on Saturday night and Sunday drenched the paddy crop in many grain markets of Sangrur district and increased the moisture content.
Farmers alleged they had not received any help from the Punjab Government authorities in covering their paddy while Agriculture Department authorities said this would further delay the paddy harvesting.
“All claims of the government of arrangements for paddy purchase in various grain markets are only on paper as due to lack of required tarpaulins, the paddy got drenched. The farmers are already under huge debt and the damage to paddy will create more problems for them,” said Harjinder Singh, press secretary of the BKU Ugrahan’s Lehra block.
Farmers, while talking to The Tribune, alleged their repeated requests to officials for arrangements to cover their paddy during rain fell on deaf ears.
“It is the third loss I have suffered during the past one and a half years. Some months back, rainwater damaged our standing paddy crop, then pink bollworm affected our cotton and now, my harvested paddy has been affected by rain. If our paddy is damaged, we will be compelled to launch an indefinite agitation,” said Sukhwinder Singh, a farmer.
“Our field reports suggest the recent rain will only delay harvesting and will not cause any damage to the crop,” Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal, Chief Agriculture Officer, Sangrur, said.
Rain coupled with winds hit the procurement and lifting of paddy in Moga district as well. Paddy lying in the open and that filled in bags got drenched in rainwater at the grain markets of the district.
An official of the administration said 2,06,495 tonne paddy had arrived in the grain markets in the district of which 1,84,208 tonne had been purchased while 22,287 tonne was lying unsold due to high moisture content.
It was learnt the rice millers were reluctant to lift paddy due to the high moisture content. “Apart from damage, the weight of the grain also reduces when it dries out,” said a rice miller, adding they would suffer losses.
In Sriganganagar , intense hailstorm and rain wreaked havoc. Sources said farm worker Banto Bai (55) died on the spot while carrying cotton she had plucked. While others ran towards a room and got shelter, she collapsed due to the heavy pack that she was carrying.
STanding Crop inundated
Ropar: The region witnessed heavy rain since 6 am, which continued till Sunday evening submerging the standing crop that was ready for harvest. Chief Agriculture Officer Avtar Singh said he had already sent a preliminary report of losses suffered by farmers due and the final report would be prepared only when the weather was clear. TNS
admn promises action
Sangrur District Mandi Officer Mandeep Singh said they had been making all arrangements to help farmers in selling their crop. “If farmers are still facing any problem, we will take quick action,” he added.
Rain wreaks havoc, paddy drenched
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