Explainer: Sunflower farmers allege unauthorised charging by commission agents, probe begins

Days after the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) levelled allegations of unauthorised charges levied by commission agents during the sunflower procurement season, an investigation has been launched at the Shahabad grain market to verify the claims. The farmers’ union submitted its complaint before the panel constituted to investigate the matter on Friday.

What were the allegations levelled by the union against the associations?

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Charuni) complained in June, alleging that the commission agents at the Shahabad grain market forcibly charged Rs 100 per quintal from sunflower farmers. The union also alleged that the decision of charging Rs 100 per quintal was taken by both associations of the grain market after the Haryana Government’s decision to reduce the official commission on sunflower crops from 2.5 per cent to 1 per cent. The union further alleged in its complaint that the decision of Rs 100 was taken on the pretext of covering their expenses.

 What was the action taken by the market committee?

The Market Committee, Shahabad, had constituted a five-member panel to investigate the matter. The panel has been tasked with checking agent records, recording statements from both farmers and agents, and submitting a report within 15 days. The panel had invited the farmers to get their statements recorded on Friday following which the union has submitted its complaint and got the statements recorded.

What does the union say about the issue?

Spokesperson for the BKU (Charuni), Rakesh Bains said the market committee had not shown any seriousness in the matter and the panel to investigate the matter was constituted nearly a month after the complaint was submitted. Though, the committee had earlier issued notices to both associations, no action was taken. The commission agents have no rights to charge any money from the farmers as the government gives them the commission for their work. If they feel their commission was less, they should have raised the objection with the government. The commission agents have been pressuring the farmers and warning them that they will stop handling their crop in future if any complaint is moved against them. Following the situation, the farmers also did not submit individual complaints.

What does the Commission Agents’ Association claim?

Bittu Kalra, president of the Shahabad Grain Market Commission Agents Association, had refuted the allegations, saying that no farmer was forced to pay extra charges during the procurement season. The complaint was made by the union members, not the sunflower farmers. After the commission was reduced, the commission agents had decided not to participate in the procurement process, but on the request of the farmers, the agents decided to continue with the procurement. The commission agents will cooperate with the committee and will provide all required documents.

 What does the Market Committee, Shahabad, say?

An official from the Market Committee, Shahabad, said the investigation was underway. The statements of both farmers and agents would be recorded, and action would follow accordingly.

Haryana Tribune