Chandigarh, October 5, 2019 : Paddy purchase by the Arhtiyas (Commision Agents) will begin on Saturday in Punjab as they have ended their four day old strike after the assurance of Mr. Suresh Kumar Chief Principal Secretary of the Punjab Chief Minister.
Arhtiyas were on strike since last four days and virtually the procurement had come to a halt. They were opposing an FCSD order to collect and upload the bank accounts and Aadhar numbers of farmers on Public Financial Management System (PFMS) portal of Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance. There are about 23,900 arhtiyas in Punjab.
After their strike is over, now Paddy purchase by them will begin today. Confirming this Mr. Ravinder Singh Cheema President Arhtiya Association Punjab disclosed that Mr. Suresh Kumar has invited us for a meeting in Chandigarh on Monday. He said that they have decided to start purchase from Saturday.
It is worth mentioning here that Arhtiyas are opposing direct payment of the produce in the accounts of farmers. Many farmer associations have also opposed such move and have supported Arhtiyas.