Amritsar farmers dejected over delay in payment

The government has failed to keep its promise of paying farmers within 48 hours of buying wheat. Most farmers in the district have disagreed of receiving the money. The arhtiyas wanted they had not been paid by the government, peasants said.

On the other hand, the district administration asserted that Rs 455.34 crore was distributed to the farmers till May 9. The officers claimed that the payments were being made on time.

Farmers complained that the delay in payment was creating obstacles for them. “Peasants plan their expenses as per the harvest time. It is time to account agricultural loans. If the payments get postponed, we will have to pay the fine,” said Kuljit Singh, a peasant of Malawali village. Narinder Singh, a farmer, stated since he was not salaried, he was in problem to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, Arthiyas Association president Narinder Behal admitted that most of the commission agents had received payments from the party. He said, “the lag took place as the wheat acquisition process started very late. Wheat acquisition took pace after May 1.”

Behal said arhtiyas were in the process of distributing the money. “The issue will be settled in the next two or three days,” he said. Sources said the arhtiyas delayed making payments to farmers as they would first settle their accounts with the farmers.