Bhupinder Singh Hooda Targets Haryana Govt Over MSP Procurement

Bhupinder Singh Hooda MSP farmers remarks in Chandigarh focused on what the former Haryana Chief Minister described as severe distress in grain markets, alleging that farmers were being forced to sell produce below the Minimum Support Price because of procurement-related hurdles.

Hooda said he had visited several mandis and found similar complaints, particularly over moisture-content testing. Recent reports from Haryana have also recorded farmer complaints that procurement agencies were refusing some produce on moisture grounds and that paddy and bajra were being sold below expected prices in certain markets.

#WATCH | Chandigarh: Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda says, "There is immense distress, and farmers are facing ruin. We have visited several mandis, and the situation is the same everywhere—especially regarding moisture content. I had a single handful of grain tested on four different machines, and each gave a different reading... The clear intention is to deny farmers the MSP; they are being openly looted in broad daylight. Compelled by circumstances, they are forced to sell their produce at rates lower by Rs 400 to Rs 500 per quintal... Procurement used to happen during our tenure too, but did we ever see mandis packed like this? Farmers would produce their crops and leave immediately after getting their price. Now, they are being deliberately entangled in complications; the government has no intention of paying the MSP—its only aim is to fleece the farmers..." Further, he says, "The Congress and the entire INDIA bloc are protesting; you can see the government's panic in Delhi—leaders are being stopped, placed under house arrest, or even detained by agencies. It has become a spectacle; democracy is being strangled..."

— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026

Hooda Questions Moisture Testing in Mandis

Hooda said moisture testing was creating uncertainty for farmers and claimed that the same grain sample produced different readings when checked on multiple machines.

“I had a single handful of grain tested on four different machines, and each gave a different reading.”

He alleged that such inconsistencies were being used to prevent farmers from receiving MSP.

These remain political allegations by Hooda. However, farmers and opposition leaders in Haryana have recently raised similar concerns over procurement delays, moisture-related rejections and below-MSP sales.

Farmers Being Forced to Sell Below MSP, Hooda Alleges

Hooda claimed some farmers were compelled to sell produce at ₹400 to ₹500 per quintal below MSP because of procurement difficulties.

A recent report from Hisar said farmers told Hooda they were being forced to sell paddy and bajra at prices up to ₹400 per quintal below expected rates because government procurement was not taking place smoothly.

He contrasted the current situation with procurement during the previous Congress government, saying farmers earlier received their price and left mandis without prolonged delays.

Hooda Accuses Govt of Creating Procurement Complications

The Congress leader alleged that farmers were now being “deliberately entangled in complications” and said the government had no intention of paying MSP.

That claim is Hooda’s political accusation; no evidence in the available reporting establishes deliberate government intent to deny MSP.

Farmer organisations have separately protested in Haryana over procurement and fertiliser availability, alleging that crops were not being purchased at MSP and that growers were being pushed toward lower market prices.

Hooda Also Criticises Delhi Detentions

Hooda also referred to ongoing opposition protests in Delhi, saying Congress and other INDIA bloc parties were continuing their agitation.

He alleged that opposition leaders were being stopped, detained or prevented from participating in protests and described the situation as an attack on democracy.

Delhi saw extensive detentions and security restrictions on Saturday during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police had cited law-and-order concerns and the absence of permission for certain demonstrations.

Congress Continues Protest Over Election Commission

Hooda has previously said the Congress would continue its agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner and has accused the government of using what he called “authoritarian tactics” to suppress opposition protests.

The Bhupinder Singh Hooda MSP farmers remarks therefore brought together two issues currently being highlighted by the Congress: farmer procurement problems in Haryana and the treatment of opposition protesters in Delhi.