Rohtak: Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday demanded the immediate commencement of paddy procurement. He said while the arrival of paddy and Bajra is in full swing at the mandis, the failure to start government procurement is forcing farmers to sell their crops at rates up to Rs 400 per quintal lower than expected. “Farmers are being deprived not only of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) but also of basic amenities in the mandis. The government has not made proper arrangements for storing the crop, no weighing scales, and no provisions made for lifting or handling the produce. To make matters worse, the government has once again imposed limits, forcing farmers to endure long waits,” he said in a statement.
Hooda addressed the public today in the villages of Nandal, Chiri, Katwara, Khidwali, Ghuskani, Jindran, and Titauli in his constituency. Upon his arrival, people accorded him a rousing welcome and pledged their full support for the upcoming struggle against the BJP. Hooda expressed his gratitude to everyone and affirmed that this struggle would certainly yield results.
Speaking on the occasion, Hooda noted that the BJP had come to power promising farmers a rate of ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy. Yet today, farmers’ paddy is being sold in the mandis at rates even lower than the MSP, as the government has neither initiated procurement nor honored its election pledge.
He asserted that the BJP ascended to power by making false promises and stealing votes. “This is precisely why the government has completely lost the public’s confidence. Today, every section of society in the state is disillusioned with this government and is taking to the streets to fight for their rights,” he stated.
“Farmers are agitating for MSP, the youth for employment, women for safety, employees for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), contract workers for job security, and athletes for dignity and respect. However, the BJP, blinded by the arrogance of power, is ignoring them all,” he added.
