HP Correspondent
Shahabad Markanda, June 16: Tensions are rising between the government and commission agents (arhtiyas) over sunflower procurement, leaving farmers in distress due to halted operations and delayed payments. The Shahabad grain market—responsible for nearly 50% of Haryana’s sunflower crop—has seen a complete stoppage of government procurement for the past four days.
At the heart of the dispute is a disagreement over commission rates. While arhtiyas demand the traditional 2.5% commission, the government’s latest notification has slashed it to 1%.
This deadlock has brought mandi operations like weighing, cleaning, and loading to a standstill, resulting in payment delays for farmers and disruption of produce movement.
Mandi Secretary Krishan Kumar Malik on Monday issued a formal notice to Mandi Association President Bittu Kalra and member Dhanpat Rai Agarwal. The notice highlighted that between June 11 and 14, HAFED procured 33,777 quintals and the State Warehouse Corporation 1,109 quintals of sunflower.
However, as of June 16, the necessary I and J forms have not been generated on the procurement portal, halting payment processing and lifting of the stock.The secretary instructed all commission agents to clear the backlog and generate the pending forms within one hour of receiving the notice. Agents with concerns have been asked to submit their responses in writing to the Market Committee, which will forward them to higher authorities for resolution.
The impasse has created a significant bottleneck in the procurement process, leaving both farmers and authorities seeking a swift resolution.-
Bhartiya Kisan Union to Call a Meeting: Rakesh Bains
Rakesh Bains, spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni faction), was also present at the meeting between the secretary and commission agents. After the meeting, he said that the weather is unfavorable and farmers are helpless, unable to store their produce at home. Government procurement has been stalled for the last three days, while the administration remains inactive. He warned that if no resolution is found today, the Union will convene a farmers’ meeting and take a tough decision. Notably, on June 13, when the government notification was released, BKU national president Gurnam Singh Chadhuni had come out in support of the commission agents.
Commission Agents Accuse Secretary of Betrayal
Mandi President Bittu Kalra and Dhanpat Rai Agrawal accused Secretary Krishan Kumar Malik of betrayal, claiming that he had assured them they would receive a 2.5% commission as usual. Based on that assurance, the agents arranged the filling of 1.60 lakh sacks in just two days.
However, the notification later mentioned only a 1% commission, making them feel cheated. They said that keeping farmers’ interests in mind, filling work was carried out in the mandi till 9 PM on June 13. But since Saturday, all sunflower-related work has been stopped, and commission agents have gone on an indefinite strike.
The agents have made it clear that they will not generate I and J forms unless they are granted the 2.5% commission. A meeting of the commission agents will be held on Monday evening to discuss the notice issued by the secretary.
Present in the meeting with the secretary were mandi leaders and agents such as Yashpal Singla, Trilok Singal, Praveen Garg, Pawan Gautam, Ashok Gupta, Praveen Gaba, and Trilochan Singh Handa.
Secretary Denies Giving Any Written Assurance
Mandi Secretary Krishan Kumar Malik clarified that after the direct purchase quota of 25% was fulfilled, HAFED began commercial procurement through commission agents. He further stated that this time the portal only allows for a 1% commission and that any increase in this rate is the prerogative of the procurement agencies, not his own. He also asserted that he never gave any written assurance to anyone.
Sunflower procurement hits roadblock amid government-Arhtiya Stand off
