Punjab: Rainwater floods grain markets, paddy crop submerged as farmers worry procurement; opposition targets AAP govt
PTC News Desk: Heavy rainfall since early morning has affected farmers in Punjab, with paddy crops stored in the open at grain markets suffering damage. The sudden downpour has left farmers worried about their hard-earned produce as rainwater has seeped into heaps of paddy lying in the open.
As the paddy harvesting season begins in Punjab, conditions at grain markets following rainfall have raised serious questions about the Aam Aadmi Party government’s arrangements for crop procurement and protection.
The scenes from Fazilka grain market are particularly concerning, with paddy crops that farmers spent months cultivating now submerged in rainwater. The situation at the market is so alarming that it appears more like a pond than a grain market.
Farmers raise concerns over slow paddy procurement
Farmers said paddy procurement had already been slow over the past few days because much of the produce had not reached the required level of dryness. The latest rainfall has added to their concerns, as wet paddy may face further delays in procurement and handling.
The impact is not limited to grain markets. Rainwater accumulating in agricultural fields could also disrupt harvesting operations and affect crops that are nearing maturity. Farmers fear that continued rainfall may lead to further losses.
Farmers in the area recalled that floods damaged paddy crops last year, leaving them with significant financial losses. They said the compensation of ₹20,000 provided by the government was inadequate to cover the damage.
With the paddy harvest season underway, farmers are now concerned about the possibility of further rain damaging their crops and increasing their financial burden. They had expected a good harvest this year, but the change in weather has raised fresh worries.
Opposition takes a dig
Meanwhile, opposition has taken a dig at the AAP-led Punjab government over failing to provide necessary measures for farmers for paddy procurement. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia targeted the AAP government over non compliance of its promise to procure grains.
"Farmers are asking: “Will the Punjab Government procure every single grain of this crop?” The promise was to procure every single grain. The reality is that paddy is rotting, while farmers stand knee deep in water," Majithis said in his social media post.
He further added, "Farmers are helpless, distressed and troubled. I had warned earlier that the condition of grain markets had deteriorated."
???? Grain markets have turned into ponds, with paddy crops floating in water.
???? Farmers are asking: “Will the Punjab Government procure every single grain of this crop?”
???? The promise was to procure every single grain. The reality is that paddy is rotting, while farmers stand knee deep in water.
???? Farmers are helpless, distressed and troubled. I had warned earlier that the condition of grain markets had deteriorated.
???? Guru Dokhi is not concerned about farmers. His only concern is Raji Gharachon Wali.
???? अनाज मंडियां बनीं तालाब, फसल पानी में तैर रही है।
???? किसान पूछ रहा है -
"क्या पंजाब सरकार इस फसल का दाना-दाना लेगी..?"
???? वादा था दाना-दाना लेने का,
हाल ये है - धान गल कर खत्म, किसान घुटने-घुटने पानी में खड़ा।
???? किसान बेबस है, लाचार है, परेशान है।
मैंने पहले ही कहा था - मंडियों के हालात बदतर हो चुके हैं।
???? गुरु-दोखी को किसान की चिंता नहीं,
चिंता सिर्फ राजी घराचों वाली की है।
????ਅਨਾਜ ਮੰਡੀਆਂ ਬਣੀਆਂ ਟੋਭੇ, ਫ਼ਸਲ ਪਾਣੀ 'ਚ ਤੈਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।
????ਕਿਸਾਨ ਪੁੱਛ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ -
"ਕੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਇਸ ਫਸਲ ਦਾ ਦਾਣਾ-ਦਾਣਾ ਲਵੇਗੀ..?"
????ਵਾਅਦਾ ਸੀ ਦਾਣਾ-ਦਾਣਾ ਲੈਣ ਦਾ,
ਹਾਲ ਇਹ ਹੈ - ਝੋਨਾ ਗਲ ਕੇ ਖ਼ਤਮ, ਕਿਸਾਨ ਗੋਡੇ-ਗੋਡੇ ਪਾਣੀ 'ਚ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ।
????ਕਿਸਾਨ ਬੇਬੱਸ ਹੈ, ਲਾਚਾਰ ਹੈ, ਪਰੇਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੈ।
ਮੈਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਸੀ - ਮੰਡੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਹਾਲਾਤ ਬਦਤਰ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੇ ਹਨ।
????ਗੁਰੂ-ਦੋਖੀ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਦੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ,
ਚਿੰਤਾ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਰਾਜੀ ਘਰਾਚੋਂ ਵਾਲੀ ਦੀ ਹੈ।
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— Bikram Singh Majithia (@bsmajithia) October 11, 2026
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab state president Kewal Singh Dhillon said that while rain is a natural phenomenon, the failure to make adequate arrangements to protect farmers’ crops raises questions about the government’s accountability.
He said the lack of sufficient tarpaulins and other essential facilities at grain markets was adding to farmers’ difficulties. He added that the problem was not limited to Fazilka, as similar conditions had also been reported from several other towns and villages across Punjab.
- PTC NEWS
