Punjab Commission Agents End Strike After Assurance from Chief Minister
Punjab arhtiyas call off strike after Mann assures talks with Centre
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Commission agents (arhtiyas) in Punjab called off their strike after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured them that their concerns would be discussed with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. The agents decided to support farmers affected by recent weather conditions and are pushing for increased commission rates and the release of deducted funds.
- 01Arhtiyas ended their strike to support farmers after a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
- 02The strike began on April 1, coinciding with the wheat procurement season.
- 03Agents demand an increase in commission to 2.5% of the Minimum Support Price.
- 04They are also seeking the release of ₹55 crore (approximately $6.6 million USD) in deducted funds.
- 05Around 12,000 tonnes of wheat have arrived in mandis despite delays caused by rainfall.
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Commission agents, known as arhtiyas, in Punjab have called off their strike after a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who promised to address their concerns with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. The agents initially went on strike on April 1 as wheat procurement began, but decided to resume operations to assist farmers whose crops were damaged by recent rainfall and hailstorms. The arhtiyas are advocating for an increase in their commission to 2.5% of the Minimum Support Price (MSP), replacing the current fixed rate of ₹50 (approximately $0.60 USD) per quintal. They are also requesting the release of ₹55 crore (around $6.6 million USD) that was deducted for Employees’ Provident Fund contributions. So far, about 12,000 tonnes of wheat have been received in mandis, including those in Patiala, Rajpura, and Khanna, although procurement has faced delays due to ongoing rainfall.
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The decision to end the strike allows farmers to sell their damaged crops, which is crucial for their livelihoods.
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