Chandigarh, September 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Punjab Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of arhtiyas (commission agents), describing them as an integral part of the state’s procurement ecosystem ahead of the upcoming paddy procurement season.
A Group of Ministers (GoM), comprising Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak and Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, held detailed discussions with representatives of arhtiya associations on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by the Federation of Arhtiyas Association of Punjab, led by President Vijay Kalra, and the Arhtiya Association Punjab, led by President Jaswinder Singh Rana.
The ministers said the state government recognises the contribution of arhtiyas, along with other stakeholders, in ensuring the smooth functioning of procurement operations during every season. The government also highlighted that its efforts had led to an increase of Rs. 4.74 per quintal in the commission paid to arhtiyas by the Union Government.
During the meeting, the associations raised several demands concerning their business and the upcoming paddy procurement operations. These included the release of Rs. 55 crore lying with EPF authorities and an end to future EPF deductions on the grounds that labourers engaged by arhtiyas are hired on a seasonal basis.
The representatives also sought strict enforcement of rules prohibiting the operation of combines during night hours, measures to prevent the sale of paddy from other states in Punjab mandis, and speedy movement of food grains stored from previous procurement seasons to create adequate storage space for the forthcoming paddy crop.
Other issues discussed included introducing a One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to resolve penalties imposed on pending instalments relating to shops and plots owned by arhtiyas in the mandis. The associations also sought permission for temporary yards in mandis to accommodate the agricultural produce expected during the paddy procurement season.
The Group of Ministers held detailed deliberations on the issues raised by the arhtiya associations and assured them that their concerns would be taken up at the appropriate level in the government.
Principal Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Rahul Tewari; Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Varinder Kumar Sharma; and Additional Director, Food Supply, Ajayveer Singh Sarao, were also present at the meeting.
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