India, April 9 -- Commission agents (arhtiyas) in Punjab on Wednesday called off their strike, citing solidarity with farmers whose wheat crop has been damaged by recent rainfall and hailstorms across the state.

The decision was taken after a meeting with chief minister Bhagwant Mann, who assured the agents that their concerns would be taken up with Union consumer affairs, food and public distribution minister Pralhad Joshi. A meeting with the Union minister is expected in New Delhi on April 11.

The arhtiyas had gone on strike from April 1, coinciding with the opening of wheat procurement in mandis. However, with crop arrivals beginning and moisture levels exceeding the permissible limit of 22% due to unseasonal rains, the agents decide...