New Delhi: A tragic moment, a farmer in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna district broke down as the sell of his crop stalled just before the marriage of his daughter.
A farmer pleads to deaf ears
The helpless, tearful farmer pleaded with folded hands in the middle of the bustling Nanakhedi Krishi Upaj Mandi and reportedly said, “Please buy my crop, my daughter’s wedding is tomorrow.” Notably, the mandi auction process ended on Tuesday morning after a dispute involving a market inspector.
Farmers allege that the inspector, Rajkumar Sharma, was drunk and his behaviour during the auction process was highly inappropriate. A farmer’s coriander got the highest bid of Rs 5,700 per quintal, but the inspector allegedly recorded Rs 5,400 on the slip and it triggered a dispute in the mandi auction.
A financial loss for farmers
When the discrepancy was pointed out, the inspector became abusive which infuriated the traders also, and they stopped bidding, bringing the auction process in the mandi to a halt. It meant immense problem for the farmer who reached the auction spot as early as 7 am. The stalled auction brought financial loss for the farmers, including a farmer from Shripurchak village, who had hoped to sell his coriander crop to arrange money for his daughter’s wedding.
He broke down, crying inconsolably, pleading with officials and traders, “My daughter’s wedding is tomorrow. I need money for the ‘tika’ ceremony. If my crop is not sold today, the wedding will be ruined.” However, no one came forward to help him, as the mandi remained closed for hours.
Farmers protested, blocked the AB Road National Highway, as desperation led them to bring traffic to a grinding halt. The authorities have taken note of the problem, and a spot panchnama has been prepared. The higher authorities have been sent a report with the inspector removed from duty and officials probing the incident.