Punjab Wheat Procurement Resumes After Commission Agents Suspend Week-Long Strike
In a significant development for Punjab's agricultural sector, wheat procurement operations are set to resume after commission agents, known as arhtiyas, ended their week-long strike on Wednesday. The decision came following extensive talks with Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal.
Strike Suspended Temporarily for Procurement Season
While the Punjab government officially announced that the strike had been "called off," the Federation of Arhtiyas Association clarified that their protest had only been suspended for the duration of the wheat procurement season. The association emphasized that they plan to resume their agitation against both the state government and the central government once procurement operations conclude.
"In view of the losses suffered by farmers due to inclement weather, we have decided to pause the strike for now and participate in procurement operations," stated association president Vijay Kalra. "We will resume our protest against the state government and the Centre after procurement is over."
Government Calls for Cooperation Amid Farmer Distress
Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian acknowledged that recent spells of bad weather have exacerbated distress among farmers, creating an urgent need for cooperation among all stakeholders. The minister directed officials to ensure procurement operations proceed smoothly, transparently, and without unnecessary hassles.
Khudian also provided assurances that the legitimate concerns raised by the arhtiyas would be properly addressed through appropriate channels. This commitment from the government played a crucial role in facilitating the temporary suspension of the strike.
Key Demands of Commission Agents Remain Unresolved
The arhtiyas have presented several key demands that remain central to their ongoing dispute with authorities:
- Restoration of Traditional Commission System: The agents are demanding the reinstatement of the 2.5% dami (commission) system, which was replaced by the central government with a fixed per-quintal rate. Although this rate was increased from Rs 46 to Rs 50.75 per quintal for the 2026-27 season, the agents argue this still falls significantly short of their traditional entitlement and fails to account for rising operational costs.
- Reimbursement of EPF Deductions: Another major demand involves the reimbursement of Rs 55 crore that was deducted by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) as Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contributions.
- Policy Reversal on Modern Silos: The arhtiyas are seeking the withdrawal of a policy that reduces commission rates for grains stored in modern silos, arguing this creates unfair disadvantages.
- Commission Parity with Haryana: The agents are demanding commission rates equivalent to those received by their counterparts in neighboring Haryana, highlighting regional disparities in compensation structures.
The temporary resolution allows wheat procurement to proceed during this critical agricultural season, but underlying tensions remain as commission agents prepare to resume their protest once procurement operations conclude. The situation highlights the complex interplay between traditional agricultural systems, government policies, and the economic realities facing those involved in India's vital food procurement processes.
