Congress MP Deepender Hooda Slams Haryana Government Over Wheat Procurement Chaos
In Jhajjar, Haryana, Congress MP Deepender Hooda launched a scathing critique of the state government on Tuesday, highlighting severe lapses in wheat procurement operations and demanding immediate systemic reforms. The criticism comes amid mounting distress in the region's grain markets, with Hooda attributing the crisis primarily to a malfunctioning e-procurement system.
Portal Failures and Slow Lifting Create Mandi Chaos
Following visits to the Badli and Jhajjar mandis, Deepender Hooda described the BJP-led administration as a "portal-driven government," alleging that the state's e-kharid portal has remained non-functional during the crucial procurement window. "The system fails when farmers need it the most. Servers are down, transactions are stalled, and mandis are choked with unsold grain," he stated emphatically.
According to mandi stakeholders, over 5.5 lakh quintals of wheat have arrived so far, but only approximately 90,000 quintals have been lifted. This discrepancy has resulted in massive heaps of grain being exposed in open yards, creating a precarious situation. Despite the deployment of nearly 50 JCB machines in the Jhajjar mandi, the pace of lifting remains alarmingly slow, exacerbating the backlog.
Logistical Shortages and Quality Norms Under Fire
Farmers and commission agents (arhtiyas) have reported acute shortages of essential logistics, including gunny bags, tarpaulin sheets, and labor, which further compounds the crisis. Deepender Hooda warned that any untimely rainfall could lead to significant crop damage, worsening farmers' financial losses.
The Congress leader urged the state government to relax grain quality and moisture norms, aligning them with neighboring Rajasthan. He specifically demanded a revision of the 12% moisture cap and greater flexibility in Food Corporation of India standards related to grain color and quality. "If rainfall has impacted crops, penalizing farmers through rigid norms is unjust. Relief must be extended immediately," he asserted.
Calls for Manual Procurement and Rule Revisions
Deepender Hooda advocated for the restoration of a parallel manual procurement mechanism alongside the digital system to ensure continuity. "Technology should ease processes, not obstruct them. If the portal collapses, a manual fallback must ensure uninterrupted procurement and timely payments," he emphasized.
He further criticized what he termed "arbitrary and burdensome" conditions imposed on farmers, including biometric verification, tractor authentication, and the requirement of multiple guarantors. "These rules are pushing farmers away from mandis, forcing distress sales outside the regulated system," Hooda added, demanding their immediate withdrawal.
Administrative Apathy and Political Presence
Taking a swipe at the government, Deepender Hooda remarked that the current situation reflects "administrative apathy" and amounts to "rubbing salt into the wounds of farmers and arhtiyas." He directed officials to ensure that every grain brought to the mandi is procured without excuses, stressing accountability throughout the procurement chain.
Local MLAs Geeta Bhukkal and Kuldeep Vats, along with district Congress president Sanjay Yadav, were also present during the visit, underscoring the political significance of the issue. The crisis highlights ongoing challenges in Haryana's agricultural sector, with calls for urgent intervention to protect farmers' interests and stabilize market operations.
