PHAGWARA: Phagwara By-Elections have badly paralysed the official works in the entire Sub Division as the entire official machinery seemed to be engaged in Elections in Phagwara.
Though Government Agencies have started purchase of Paddy through out the state since October 7, but by-election process in Phagwara have badly effected the lifting of the paddy in Phagwara. The Tribune has learnt that more than 1.30 lac bags of paddy could be seen lying in open in the Grain Market of Phagwara. When The Tribune correspondent visited the local grain market today, not even a single farmer was available in the mandi due to campaigning for byelection scheduled to be held on October 21. Few employees of the farmers were seen taking receipts of the paddy from the commission agents. Arrti Association Phagwara President Kulwant Pabbi told this correspondent that only one Rice Sheller Owner had purchased around 10, 000 bags of paddy till now.
Govt Agencies were purchasing the paddy which could not be lifted by the agencies and heaps of paddy are lying in open under the sky which could be damaged in case of rainy days. Interestingly none of the officer of Civil Administration or belonging to Food & Supplies Department have visited the Grain Markets in Phagwara Sub Division. As most of the official machinery seemed to be busy in election process only.