Hooda slams Haryana BJP over paddy, bajra procurement failures amid rain damage
Synopsis
Haryana's opposition leader Bhupinder Hooda has levelled pointed allegations against the BJP government — not just for slow procurement but for allegedly tampering with moisture-testing machines and deliberately pushing farmers toward private buyers below MSP. With rain-damaged mandis and lakhs of metric tons of paddy submerged, the crisis has moved from administrative failure to a full-blown political flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda accused the state BJP government of failing to expedite paddy and bajra procurement on 16 October 2026 .
Two days of rain submerged lakhs of metric tons of paddy at mandis, causing massive losses to farmers and commission agents.
Hooda demanded paddy procurement at ₹3,100 per quintal and a bonus to compensate for rain-related losses.
Farmers reportedly forced to sell paddy at ₹400 per quintal below MSP and bajra at ₹800–₹900 per quintal below MSP .
Hooda alleged moisture-testing machines were tampered with, yielding inconsistent readings on the same produce batch.
He alleged a deliberate strategy by the government to redirect farmers toward private buyers and away from MSP procurement.
Leader of Opposition and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda on Friday, 16 October accused the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of failing farmers by not expediting the procurement of paddy and bajra, and of neglecting the timely lifting of purchased produce from procurement centres across the state.
Rain Compounds Procurement Crisis
Hooda said two days of rain had wiped out months of farmers' hard work, with lakhs of metric tons of paddy submerged in water at mandis across Haryana. "As a result of the government's apathy, two days of rain have wiped out months of the farmers' hard work. Lakhs of metric tons of paddy across mandis in the state have been submerged in water, causing massive losses to both farmers and commission agents," he said in a statement. He directly blamed the administration's delays in lifting procured produce for compounding the scale of damage.
Key Demands: ₹3,100 Per Quintal MSP and Bonus Compensation
Hooda demanded the government honour its promise to procure paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal. He also urged authorities to provide a bonus to compensate farmers for losses, arguing the administration bears direct responsibility for the situation. He said he personally visited several mandis and spoke with farmers and commission agents, finding "no one satisfied with the government's arrangements."
Systemic Failures at Procurement Centres
According to Hooda, farmers at mandis across the state reported a consistent set of grievances: difficulties with gate passes, flawed verification processes, procurement limits, long traffic jams, and excessive waiting times. He further alleged that moisture-testing machines had been tampered with — claiming that the same batch of produce, when tested on three different machines, yielded inconsistent moisture readings.
Allegation: Government Pushing Farmers Toward Private Buyers
The former chief minister alleged this was part of a deliberate strategy by the government to avoid procuring farmers' produce at the minimum support price (MSP), thereby forcing them to sell to private agencies at significantly lower rates. He claimed farmers were being forced to sell paddy at prices ₹400 per quintal below MSP, and bajra at prices ranging from ₹800 to ₹900 per quintal below MSP. These are serious allegations that the state government has not yet formally responded to, according to available reports.
The opposition's push comes as the Kharif procurement season reaches a critical juncture, and with farmers across Haryana already under stress from erratic monsoon patterns. How the BJP government responds — both on compensation and on fixing procurement logistics — will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
If substantiated, would point to systemic manipulation of a public procurement mechanism, not mere administrative delay. The fact that farmers are reportedly selling paddy at ₹400 below MSP and bajra at up to ₹900 below MSP suggests the gap between policy promise and ground reality is significant. Haryana's ruling BJP has a political incentive to resolve this before it becomes an electoral liability, but a formal government response is conspicuously absent. The broader pattern — erratic procurement, logistical bottlenecks, and alleged private-buyer pressure — mirrors complaints raised in other Kharif-heavy states, suggesting this is a structural problem that outlasts any single state administration.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Bhupinder Hooda alleged against the Haryana government over farm procurement?
Hooda has accused the Haryana BJP government of failing to expedite paddy and bajra procurement and of not ensuring timely lifting of purchased produce from mandis. He further alleged that moisture-testing machines were tampered with and that the government is deliberately pushing farmers toward private buyers at prices well below MSP.
How much below MSP are Haryana farmers reportedly selling their produce?
According to Hooda, farmers are being forced to sell paddy at ₹400 per quintal below MSP and bajra at ₹800 to ₹900 per quintal below MSP. He attributes this to the government's alleged failure to procure directly at the minimum support price.
What damage did rain cause to paddy at Haryana mandis?
Two days of rainfall submerged lakhs of metric tons of paddy at mandis across Haryana, Hooda said. He blamed the government's delay in lifting procured produce for the scale of the damage, which affected both farmers and commission agents.
What is Hooda's demand regarding paddy procurement prices?
Hooda has demanded that the government fulfil its promise to procure paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal. He has also urged the administration to provide a bonus as compensation for rain-related losses, arguing the government bears direct responsibility.
What problems did farmers report at Haryana procurement centres?
Farmers and commission agents told Hooda of recurring issues including difficulties with gate passes, flawed verification processes, procurement limits, long traffic jams, and excessive waiting times. These complaints were reportedly consistent across mandis he visited.
