The state government of Punjab has finally decided to provide farmers with an option to sell their produce straight to the parties, including the Food Corporation of India
(FCI), a move that will put an end to longstanding "arhtiya raj" in Punjab.

So far, farmers in the state have to sell their produce through Arthiyas (commission agents) only because they have no option to sell their produce directly to FCI or any other purchasing party.

It may be noted here that farmers had long been demanding the state government to allow them to sell their produce directly to the purchasing party and make payments direct to the farmers, as recommended by the Punjab Farmers Commission during the tenure of ex-CM Captain Amarinder Singh.

Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, president of Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said, "This has ensured that arhtiyas do not pay farmers at their will by deducting exorbitant rates of interest on loans. With the new verdict, the farmer can demand direct payment from the buyer."

More than two thousand farmers committed suicide in Punjab between 2008 and 2009 because to indebtedness.

The decision to do away with the arhtiyas is a significant development as available figures suggest that the arhtiyas in Punjab pocketed Rs 6427.27 crores over a period of two decades starting 1990.

While the arhtiyas continued to pocket good profits owing to a steady rise in their commission, farmers indeed suffered a considerable loss. More than two thousand farmers committed suicide in Punjab between 2008 and 2009 because to indebtedness.