Leader of Opposition in the Punjab assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, claimed that the Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, misled farmers into sowing hybrid varieties of paddy, which has contributed to the ongoing issues. “I hold Arvind Kejriwal, Mann, and the central government responsible for this crisis, which will also create a law and order situation,” Bajwa said at a press conference in New Delhi.
Bajwa highlighted that 185 lakh metric tonnes of paddy are expected to arrive in mandis (grain markets), but godowns in the state are already full due to uncleared stocks. He urged immediate intervention from the Centre, warning of a potential economic fallout.
The crisis has been exacerbated by Mann’s promotion of the PR-126 and other hybrid varieties of paddy, Bajwa alleged, which has resulted in lower yields. “Now it has been revealed that this variety yields about 5kg less rice per quintal after milling, compared to traditional varieties. This will cause losses to rice millers to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore,” he said, questioning who would compensate the millers for their losses.
Bajwa also referred to ongoing protests by ‘arhtiyas’ (commission agents), who have refused to purchase produce in the mandis, adding to the uncertainty. The Congress leader criticized the state government for delaying action, pointing out that Punjab CM Mann met Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi in Delhi only after the crisis had escalated.
Bajwa warned of an impending agrarian crisis that could spiral out of control and alleged that the situation was being orchestrated to benefit large industrial houses. He claimed that the crisis could force farmers into distress sales, benefiting companies like Adani, which has significant storage capacities in Punjab.The Congress leader accused Mann of lacking leadership experience, calling him a “stand-up comedian” and alleging that Punjab is paying the price for his inexperience. He further alleged that the Punjab government is being controlled from Delhi by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing Mann of being powerless in handling the state’s affairs.
