In a step toward compromise, protesting farmers in Punjab have decided to clear road blockades but continue their agitation over the delayed lifting of paddy and shortages of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer. The decision came after a pivotal meeting on Sunday between the farmer representatives and Punjab's Food Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian — both of whom assured farmers that the State Government is committed to resolving their grievances.
The meeting, lasting around two hours, addressed core issues plaguing farmers, primarily the sluggish paddy procurement and DAP shortages. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said: “We have decided to clear road blockades to ease public inconvenience. However, we will remain vigilant and resume more rigorous action if there are no visible improvements in the coming days.”
Blockades on major routes, including the Phagwara and Moga-Ferozepur highways, and the Sangrur-Barnala and Gurdaspur-Sri Hargobindpur roads, are expected to be lifted soon.
Notably, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has actively engaged with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi to expedite central assistance for the state’s paddy procurement and DAP supply issues. Mann emphasized to the farmers that while their concerns are valid, maintaining open roads will benefit the general public who are facing significant disruptions. He urged patience, stressing that “protesting on the streets isn’t the solution”.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also addressed the issue of storage space for paddy, stating, “The Government will procure every grain, and adequate storage is being arranged.”
Despite recent heavy rains causing delays in the crop harvest and adding moisture content, he reassured farmers that procurement processes would continue smoothly. To mitigate the situation, storage solutions, including leasing godowns and relocating wheat stocks to neighbouring states, have been set in motion to accommodate an estimated 185 lakh metric tonnes of paddy by November.
Additionally, the Punjab Government has mobilized 3,283 out of 3,854 registered millers to expedite the lifting process, with more millers anticipated to join soon.
Further fueling the unrest, shortages of DAP have jeopardized timely wheat sowing for Punjab’s farmers. With Punjab contributing over 50 percent of India’s wheat stock, state authorities are pushing for priority allocation of DAP fertilizer to avoid disruption in the upcoming sowing season, set to begin in mid-November.
In a recent discussion with Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers JP Nadda, Mann highlighted Punjab’s urgent requirement for 4.8 lakh metric tonnes of DAP. While 3.3 lakh metric tonnes are currently available, a gap of 1.5 lakh tonnes remains, which Mann insists should be filled promptly. Reports suggest that Nadda responded positively, assuring Punjab of prioritized DAP distribution.
On the political front, Punjab BJP leaders met with the state Governor to voice support for the farmers and pressure the State Government for quicker action. BJP senior leader Avinash Rai Khanna criticized the state's handling of paddy procurement, saying, “The Center has already paid Rs 44,000 crore, yet delays persist. Farmers should not be left struggling during Diwali.” BJP’s delegation, which included leaders like Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Fateh Singh Bajwa, and Vijay Sampla, urged the state to prioritize farmers’ needs over political maneuvers.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Government has claimed significant progress, stating that paddy lifting has accelerated markedly. As of October 26 (Saturday), over 3.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been lifted, compared to 1.39 lakh metric tonnes on October 21. Additionally, more than 2,100 millers have been mobilized to handle paddy transport and storage, reflecting an all-out effort to speed up the procurement process.
Till evening, farmers had continued their protest against the State Government for the third day on Sunday to press for multiple demands, including tardy paddy procurement and shortage of fertilizers. As part of their protest, farmers organized road blocks, or “chakka jam” in several parts including Sangrur, Moga, Phagwara, and Batala.
Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee and Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) took part in the protest that led to major traffic disruptions and inconvenience to commuters.
For now, Punjab’s farmers await tangible outcomes, hoping that this combination of state and central efforts will address their issues without resorting to further disruption. The temporary lifting of road blockades is a move welcomed by commuters and marks a step toward dialogue; however, with Diwali around the corner and critical sowing windows nearing, Punjab’s farmers remain prepared to resume their protests if these promises fall short.
