Karnal, April 8 -- Even as the arrival of wheat has picked up at the grain markets across the state, procurement is yet to begin primarily due to the non-finalisation of labour and transport contractors as well as absence of gunny bags.

Farmers have raised concerns that due to the said issues in the operations and high moisture content in the crop, they have been left helpless and are forced to wait at the mandis as their crop is spread under the sun in the open.

Official sources said that the delay in procurement was due to high moisture content above the prescribed limit of 12%.

Rajnish Chaudhary, president of the Karnal Arhtiyas' Association, said that the delivery of gunny bags has started at the grain markets, but the wheat arriva...