Chandigarh/New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP from Sangrur Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer during the zero hour today raised the issues pertaining to the procurement of crops, in the Parliament. The MP put forward the demand of fixing the commission of Arhtiyas (Commission Agents) payable on wheat and paddy at the two and a half percent of the MSP as was the case earlier. He also demanded the increase in specials for Punjab in order to accelerate the lifting of paddy from the godowns. Seeking speedy redressal of the issues, Meet Hayer said that an early solution is necessary with a view to ensure a hassle free procurement season.
Divulging more, Meet Hayer said that till 2019-20, the commission of Arhtiyas on Wheat & Paddy was fixed at two and a half percent of the Minimum Support Price (M.S.P.). The same rate of commission continues since then whereas the inflation has soared in between that time period which is why the arhtiyas staged a demonstration thus directly impacting the procurement of crops in Punjab.
The MP from Sangrur also raised the issue of sheller owners and demanded increasing the number of specials in case of Punjab. He said that earlier, the paddy used to be lifted from Punjab till March-April but now even after 6 months the same has not been done. This has led to the aggravation of the storage situation causing loss of the produce worth Crores. Resultantly, the sheller owners have to bear the brunt causing lots of shellers to shut shop.