For the past one week, the Haryana-Uttar Pradesh (UP) border in the district has become a point of tension between farmers, arhtiyas and the district administration. The arrival of wheat-laden tractor-trailers from UP into Haryana’s mandis has been stopped by the district administration by setting up two nakas (checkpoints) at Manglora and Shergarh Tapu. The farmers as well as arhtiyas are facing difficulties due to this step. Here is what you need to know about the reasons behind this step.
What triggered the authorities to take this step?
Even after a ban on the arrival of wheat without registration on ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ (MFMB) portal, wheat from UP began arriving in Karnal grain markets. Sudden influx of wheat-laden tractor-trailers from UP into Karnal’s grain markets has led to chaos in mandis. The procurement agencies struggled to manage the unexpected arrivals. To regulate the flow and ensure that only eligible farmers could sell their produce, the district administration established two nakas on the Haryana-UP border.
What is the official policy behind these restrictions?
As per the authorities only the farmers registered on the MFMB portal are permitted to bring their wheat into Haryana mandis. The portal is a state-level digital system that records crop details, farmer identity and land ownership, ensuring transparency in procurement. Without registration, crops cannot be brought to grain markets and procurement agencies cannot buy the crop, as it would bypass Haryana’s official system.
Why is registration on the MFMB portal so important?
The authorities claim that the MFMB portal serves multiple purposes, including it prevents duplication or fraudulent claims during procurement. Besides, it ensures that only Haryana’s farmers benefit from the state’s procurement policies and minimum support price (MSP). It helps the administration track crop arrivals and manage logistics like storage, labour and transportation. Officials argue that allowing unregistered wheat from UP would distort the procurement system and make the grain markets flooded with wheat.
How are farmers affected by this move?
The Karnal police have been stopping the farmers from UP at these nakas and not allowing them to go to the grain markets in Karnal as major crops are not registered on the MFMB portal. Many farmers have expressed frustration. They say some farmers belong to Haryana, but own or cultivate land across the UP border. They say that their arhtiyas are based in Karnal, so they should be allowed to sell there. Several farmers claim they faced difficulties registering on the MFMB portal, either due to system glitches or lack of awareness.
What do arhtiyas say about the restrictions?
The arhtiyas in Karnal oppose the sealing of the border. They argue that many Karnal farmers have purchased land across the UP border, and stopping them disrupts business. They highlight that land in the Yamuna river belt, though under Karnal’s jurisdiction, cannot be registered on the MFMB portal, leaving the farmers stranded. They accuse the administration of “selective sealing,” pointing out that other Haryana borders with UP remain open. They stress that they had already advanced money to the farmers during the off-season, expecting repayment through wheat sales. The sudden restrictions jeopardised their financial stability.
How are the officials enforcing the restrictions?
The Duty Magistrates and police personnel are stationed at the nakas to check documents and registrations round the clock. Deputy Commissioner Dr Anand Kumar Sharma has warned that any arhtiya found helping the farmers bring wheat from UP will have their licence cancelled. Market Committee secretaries could also face action for negligence. The farmers from certain Karnal villages located geographically on the UP border are being allowed if their MFMB registration is valid. Otherwise, vehicles are turned back.
