Punjab, Haryana farmers resent delay in start of paddy procurement

Centre says delay necessary as moisture content high due to excess Sep rains

Amid the ongoing debate over the three farm acts, farmers of Punjab and Haryana are again on a warpath with the Centre, this time over the delayed start to the annual paddy procurement season.

Usually, procurement of paddy from the two major north Indian states starts from October 1, but this year the Centre in an order issued few days said that procurement will start from October 11 in both the states as the moisture content is paddy is above the permissible limits in both the states due to prolonged monsoon showers in September.

However, farmers’ leaders have termed the