Exploited farmers

Farmers in Punjab have not only been facing the grim prospect of low wheat output, but also delays in selling their yield to the government. They have to wait in long queues – sometimes for days – to get ‘bardana’ (gunny bags). Those who have ‘connections’ get the bags without appearing before the officials concerned, while others return back empty handed or with fewer bags than their actual needs.

This state of exploitation does end here. Officials are demanding an extra wheat bag from farmers for buying their crop at the official rate. Due to the snail-paced performance of the officials at these centres, trucks loaded with the wheat crop keep waiting for many days at the centres. Moreover, unpredictable weather adds to the misery of frustrated farmers. The chief minister is requested to take action against corrupt officers involved in malpractices at the wheat buying centres.

Zaheer Cheema

Gujranwala