Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday alleged that farmers are being subjected to multiple hardships by the state government through new conditions such as tractor verification, biometric authentication and the requirement of guarantors for selling wheat at the minimum support price (MSP).

Hooda said that from Saturday, he along with party office-bearers and MLAs will begin visiting mandis in their respective constituencies to assess the ground situation.

“Conditions such as large number plates on tractors, biometric verification, gate passes and the requirement of three guarantors are being imposed on farmers. A frustrated farmer may simply choose to sell his produce outside the mandi at a loss and leave,” Hooda said. “The government is imposing conditions that are effectively forcing farmers into distress selling,” he added.

Asking the government to immediately announce a bonus on wheat, provide compensation for crop damage and ensure full preparedness in the mandis, Hooda also demanded withdrawal of the restrictions currently imposed for wheat procurement.

He alleged that mandis are facing shortages of gunny bags (bardana) and tarpaulins, besides a lack of labourers and basic amenities for farmers. In several places, tenders for transportation had not yet been finalised, he said.

“Under these circumstances, the harvested crop arriving at mandis will remain unattended as there will be no proper procurement and lifting mechanism. Until lifting takes place, farmers will not receive payment,” Hooda said.