Farmers Urge Authorities to Resume Power Supply to Cold Storage Facility.
Potato farmers in the Kapurthala district are facing a dire situation as the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has ordered the closure of a cold storage facility over alleged irregularities, potentially leading to significant financial losses. The closure of the cold storage facility in Machhipal village, which houses approximately 1.25 lakh bags of potatoes valued at ₹20 crore, has raised alarm among local growers.
The PPCB disconnected the power supply to the facility, citing that it has been operating without necessary approvals. The stock, which is typically cleared by the end of November, is now at risk of rotting if power is not resumed soon. Farmers have expressed their frustration, citing a lack of awareness regarding the operational issues between the cold storage management and the PPCB.
Local potato growers have called on the authorities to permit the cold storage to operate for the remainder of the season, emphasizing the urgent need to protect their investments. One grower remarked, “We were unaware of the cold storage operating allegedly without the required approvals. Our livelihoods depend on these potatoes, and we fear a substantial loss.”
The situation has escalated as farmers worry about the impending destruction of their stock, with many approaching local representatives to voice their concerns. They have urged that the order be deferred until January, allowing them to clear their stored potatoes before irreversible damage occurs.
In response, a PPCB official stated that the board had been requesting the cold storage management to submit the necessary documents for over a year, but the management failed to comply. The official noted that the board would only permit operations once the required approvals were obtained.
As the clock ticks, the fate of the potato stock and the livelihoods of numerous farmers hangs in the balance, highlighting the need for immediate action from the authorities to prevent a catastrophic loss in the local agricultural sector.
