Meet Hayer Highlights Plight of Farmers, Urges Government to Address Commission Issues and Enhance Special Allowances for Punjab

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, AAP's Lok Sabha member from Sangrur, brought attention to two critical issues affecting Punjab's farmers during Parliament's Zero Hour. He emphasized the need to reinstate the commission for arhtiyas (middlemen) to 2.5% of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat and paddy, and to increase special allowances for Punjab to expedite the transportation of rice from warehouses.

Meet Hayer stressed that resolving these issues promptly is essential for ensuring a smooth procurement process. He pointed out that the commission for arhtiyas was previously set at 2.5% of the MSP but was changed to ₹46 per quintal by the central government. This rate has remained unchanged despite rising inflation, leading to a strike by arhtiyas, which directly impacted wheat procurement in Punjab.

The AAP MP advocated for the arhtiyas' demand, seeking a reinstatement of the 2.5% commission. He also highlighted the plight of rice millers, urging the government to increase special allowances for Punjab. Meet Hayer noted that in the past, rice transportation in Punjab was completed within March and April, but this year, it has been delayed by six months, resulting in storage issues and significant losses for farmers and shellers. Meet Hayer's demands aim to address the long-standing concerns of Punjab's farmers and arhtiyas, ensuring a more efficient and equitable procurement process.