The Shahabad Market Committee chairman has issued license suspension orders for a commission agent who allegedly refused to participate in the procurement process of sunflower seeds despite repeated directions.
License Suspension Details
The chairperson ordered a 15-day suspension for the commission agent, who also serves as the president of the commission agent association of the grain market. The action against association president Bittu Kalra was taken following a complaint filed by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) spokesman Rakesh Kumar Bains.
Commission Dispute
According to reports, commission agents at the Shahabad grain market have been boycotting the sunflower procurement process due to dissatisfaction with the 1% commission being offered. They are demanding a 2.5% commission instead.
Rakesh Kumar stated that on Thursday, he arrived at the grain market with approximately 30 quintals of sunflower seeds and obtained a gate pass. However, when the stock was taken to the shop of the commission agents association president, it was not accepted.
He said: "The state government reduced the commission from 2.5% to 1%, following which the majority of commission agents at the Shahabad grain market decided not to participate in the procurement process. Farmers have also filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the disruption of crop sales caused by the commission agents. We are not against the demands of the agents, but they have no right to disturb the procurement process. They should raise their demands with the government and not compel farmers to compensate them for the reduced commission."
He added: "The government established 18 procurement centres across the state, and procurement is underway smoothly at 17 purchase centres. Only the commission agents at the Shahabad grain market have been causing inconvenience to farmers. At Shahabad grain market, only one cooperative society and a commission agent are working as per the government's directions."
Chairman's Statement
Chairman of the market committee Shahabad, Karan Raj Singh Toor, said that a gate pass was issued, but the commission agent, who is also the association president, refused to sell the produce, leading to the license suspension. He claimed that some people are trying to disturb the functioning of the grain market.
At the Shahabad market, procurement is being ensured through government procurement agencies. Due to the current situation, many farmers are facing inconvenience and are forced to sell their produce at other grain markets. If the commission agents start participating, farmers will be able to sell produce here, he said.
Agent's Response
Meanwhile, Bittu Kalra, president of the commission agent association at Shahabad Grain Market, said that he has not received any orders regarding the suspension of license. He stated: "The commission agents are in no position to work on 1% commission, and the government should increase it to 2.5%. We have been facilitating farmers who have been associated with us for a long time, and we are getting their produce sold through the agency so that they don't face any inconvenience."
