Khanna: The meeting between the ministers of the Punjab Arhtiyas Association and the representatives of the government remains inconclusive. This information was given by Vijay Kalra, president of Aartiya Association Punjab in Khanna. Earlier the association had announced that if the government did not accept their demands then the arhtiya across Punjab would go on strike from October 1.
The main demand of the arhtiyas is that their commission should be increased by 2.5 percent for all crops. The arhtiyas of district Moga said that they have not yet received even half of the commission they should get.
Three years ago, the central government had frozen their commission at Rs 46 per quintal, while their demand is that arhat should be given at the rate of 2.5 percent per quintal, along with the deduction of labor from EPF and FCI.
In this regard, there was a meeting with the Union Food Supply Minister on September 20. The Union Minister had assured to resolve the demands by calling for a report, if the central government does not resolve the issue, then from October 1, the arhtiyas will be forced to go on strike in the markets across Punjab.