Punjab cuts paddy procurement target, leaving farmers stranded in mandis: Sunil Jakhar
Former BJP state president visits Abohar grain market, alleges poor planning by Mann government
Babushahi Bureau
Abohar (Punjab), November 14, 2026: Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday accused the Bhagwant Mann government of reducing paddy procurement targets in Fazilka district compared with last year, leaving farmers struggling to sell their produce in grain markets.
During a visit to the Abohar grain market, Jakhar met farmers waiting for their paddy to be procured and alleged that the state government had failed to make timely arrangements or approach the Centre for an increased Cash Credit Limit (CCL) to meet procurement requirements.
Citing procurement figures, Jakhar said Abohar grain market had received 79,963 metric tonnes of paddy last year, while its procurement target for the current season had been fixed at 67,200 metric tonnes.
Similarly, Fazilka district had recorded procurement of 226,207 metric tonnes last year, against a target of 176,960 metric tonnes this season. He questioned the reduction despite an expansion in the area under paddy cultivation and demanded an inquiry into the decision.
Jakhar alleged that the government had failed to assess the expected crop production in advance and submit revised estimates to the Centre in time, resulting in difficulties for farmers.
Referring to the Centre’s financial arrangements, he said the Union government had released a Cash Credit Limit of more than ₹42,000 crore on September 28, based on Punjab’s request to procure 180 lakh tonnes of paddy.
He questioned why the Chief Minister and the state’s Food and Civil Supplies and Agriculture Ministers had not taken up the matter with the Centre to seek an increase in the procurement allocation.
Jakhar also recalled that Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian had given a written assurance to protesting farmers in Chandigarh that their demands would be addressed. He said farmers were still facing delays in selling their produce.
Seeks probe into alleged deductions
Jakhar further called for an investigation into alleged deductions imposed on farmers during previous paddy procurement operations. He demanded that the government establish whether the money collected through such deductions had reached the accounts of officials or political leaders.
Highlighting the Centre’s support to farmers, Jakhar referred to the release of the CCL and an increase of 64 per cent in the subsidy on potash and phosphate fertilisers for the Rabi season. He also cited the subsidised supply of DAP fertiliser, saying it was being procured at ₹100 per kg and supplied to farmers at ₹27 per kg.
Jakhar said the Centre would extend all possible assistance once the Punjab government submitted a written request for additional procurement support.
He urged the state government to purchase farmers’ produce using its own funds in the meantime and adjust the expenditure after receiving the required central assistance. Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar was also present during the visit.