Kota, Rajasthan: The Kota Bhamashah Grain Market is currently facing severe operational disruption due to a shortage of laborers, coinciding with the bumper arrival of paddy. Hundreds of workers, who usually assist with loading and weighing the produce, have returned to their home state to cast votes in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections, leaving farmers stranded with their harvested crops.
Mandi Operations Come to a Standstill
The labor shortage has halted the loading (lading) of sold paddy, creating traffic jams and operational bottlenecks inside the mandi. Farmers have had to wait for hours to get their produce weighed and transported, leading to mounting frustration.
Farmers Protest at Mandi Gates
On Thursday, tensions escalated when angry farmers staged a protest at the mandi gates, demanding immediate action. Farmers raised slogans and urged the mandi administration to ensure timely weighing and loading of their crops. They warned that any delay could lead to crop losses due to unpredictable weather and pressed for urgent clearance of paddy brought in from nearby villages.
Administration Responds
Upon receiving reports of the unrest, mandi officials arrived at the site and appealed for patience, assuring the farmers that the loading process would resume as soon as the laborers returned post-election. The administration acknowledged the labor shortage and highlighted that normal operations would be restored soon. Following these assurances, the agitated farmers dispersed peacefully.
Wider Impact
The situation at Kota highlights how political events in one state can affect agricultural operations in another, underlining the interlinked nature of labor mobility and crop market functionality. With the ongoing Bihar elections, Rajasthan’s agricultural supply chain has faced a rare disruption, emphasizing the need for contingency planning in major grain markets.
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