7 october 2024 : In response to a threat from arhtiyas to blockade all mandis on Tuesday morning, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a meeting with a group of arhtiyas on Monday, promising them full support.
A faction of the commission agents, represented by Punjab’s Arhtiya Association and led by Ravinder Singh Cheema, accused the government of attempting to undermine the protest by engaging only a select group of arhtiyas for the discussion and claimed that Cheema was forcibly detained in Sangrur.
Conversely, the government asserted that the arhtiyas’ ongoing strike would soon conclude, allowing procurement to commence on Tuesday. However, the Arhtiya Association under Cheema’s leadership stated that the strike would persist.
Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released a statement affirming their support for the arhtiyas and pledged to compensate for any losses if the Centre fails to reinstate their 2.5 percent commission, which had been reduced to Rs 46 per quintal in previous years. The AAP also guaranteed the availability of DAP fertilizer for farmers.
