Farmers in Sangrur and Barnala districts of Punjab, India, expressed frustration over delays in wheat procurement and inadequate facilities at grain markets. Gurbaksh Singh, a farmer, criticized officials for making excuses, stating that essential amenities, such as drinking water, are missing in the Majhi mandi. Balkaur Singh echoed these sentiments, leading to protests outside the market committee office in Bhawanigarh. The BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) state president, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, announced a protest outside deputy commissioners' offices on April 16 to demand action on procurement delays. Officials, including Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, visited the Barnala grain market, where procurement has begun but is hindered by high moisture content in the wheat. Barnala district mandi officer Bir Inder Singh noted that 70% of the crop exceeds the permissible moisture limit of 12%. In Sangrur, 4,500 tonnes of wheat have been procured, with lifting set to start on Thursday, as officials acknowledge slow procurement due to crop quality issues.