Kota: Rajasthan's Kota Bhamashah Grain Market is currently experiencing a bumper inflow of paddy, but the market system has completely collapsed. The primary reason for this is a severe shortage of laborers, which has stalled the loading of paddy at the market. It is reported that due to the Bihar Assembly elections, hundreds of laborers working at the market have returned to their home states to cast their votes, resulting in the unsold paddy being lifted on time, leading to traffic jams in the market.
Farmers' anger erupted: sloganeering at the market gate

Due to delay in loading, farmers have to wait for hours to sell and get their produce (crop) weighed. The situation worsened on Thursday when angry farmers who had come to sell their produce outside the market created a ruckus. The farmers climbed on the market gate and raised slogans and demanded the market administration to ensure immediate weighing and loading. The farmers warned the market administration that the weather can deteriorate at any time, and if their produce is not weighed and loaded on time, they will have to bear the direct consequences. They demanded that the produce of the farmers who have come from villages and farms should be auctioned and weighed immediately.

When the market administration received information about the farmers' violent protests, officials immediately arrived at the scene. They spoke with the farmers, urging them to remain patient and ensuring shipments would be completed as soon as possible. The market administration acknowledged the labor shortage and stated that the situation would improve only after the workers returned after the elections. The angry farmers calmed down only after the market administration's persuasion. Currently, the situation in the Kota market demonstrates that the Bihar assembly elections have not only influenced the political climate but also directly impacted the practical operations of Rajasthan's agricultural markets.

PC:NBT