Even after the government procuring the wheat, the delay in its lifting from the market and the pending payments have increased the woes of farmers in Punjab.
The procurement process was delayed initially but in last 15 days the procurement process sped up with around 3.83 metric tonnes of wheat being procured till Monday evening, farmers said. However, the procured wheat was still to be lifted from the market and payments were still due, farmers said.
A farmer Suvinder Singh, who reached the Mandi of Jalandhar said, "State government claims to lift wheat within 48 hours and make payment within 72 hours but here 10 days have passed but neither the wheat has been lifted nor its payment made."
The farmers also alleged that the state government was not concerned about their troubles and said the situation has become such that they may need to look for alternative work to earn livelihood.
"If the government supports the situation of farmers can be improved. But seeing our present economical condition, we think nothing more is left for us and we need to explore other options to earn a livelihood," Suvinder said.
Satsinder Singh, another farmer here, said that the interest on loan taken from moneylenders is increasing while they are not receiving payment to clear off the loans.
The state Congress also slammed the Punjab government and alleged it to be an "opportunist" and "anti-farmer".
"Not only in Jalandhar Mandi but in every Mandi in Punjab, condition of farmers have worsened. No facilities are being provided to them and no one is listening to their troubles. State government has closed its eyes from their woes," state Congress General Secretary Satnam Kainth said.
Taking a dig at the state government, Kainth said that instead of focusing in operating their "bus company", state government should concentrate on farmers' issues and resolve them.
