Punjab's fetish for tractors, luxury cars and guns

The stubble-sporting Punjabi movie hero donning branded outfits, even a traditional Kurta Pajama, meandering through the aisles of swinging lush wheat-paddy fields on a tractor is a “must inclusion” in almost every Punjabi flick.

The “tractor scene” remains a staple ingredient, no matter how many luxury cars or that cherished 350cc Royal Bullet bikes, remained parked on the sidelines. And just like the big fat Punjabi wedding, or the many materialistic manifestations that Punjabis wish to indulge in and splurge on to show off, the penchant for tractors, guns and high-end luxury cars, have always remained a fascination here.

Owning a tractor is considered no less a “status symbol” in Punjab. But, after all, the tractor remains just another farm machine! Well, if that be so, Punjab wouldn’t be one of the most over-mechanised farm state in India.

There are an estimated 10 lakh farming families in Punjab and over 5 lakh tractors, which makes a tractor in every second house. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal may not have a car registered in his name, but he certainly does have a tractor. 

Over-mechanisation of farm practices is one reason for growing unsustainable agriculture in Punjab. The state accounts for just 1.6 per cent of the total agricultural land of the country but its farmers own nearly 18 per cent of all the tractors sold in India. There are grossly more tractors and farm equipment, even in terms of the horsepower and calibration, than what are needed in farms and by farmers. Experts say Punjab needs just about one lakh tractors on farm, but possessing a tractor in Punjab is more a “style statement” beyond farms and farming practices, at least for  farmers with higher land holdings.

It's even considered a valued “gift” during marriages. Out of the 6 lakh tractors sold in India last year, 2.4 lakh went to Punjab and neighbouring Haryana. Rates of tractors have increased considerably in the last five years or so, yet every year an estimated 30,000 tractors are added to Punjab. Often, in farms these machines are grossly under-utilised which make them increasingly unviable. There are farm co-operatives in Punjab that offer tractors on rent, but that’s a choice many in Punjab exert only in a limited way.
In fact, there is a growing fascination for luxury high-powered tractors as well. Last year, an estimated about 20,000 luxury tractors were sold, out of which 40 per cent were sold in Punjab. 

High rates of land compensation and soaring real estate prices have led to farmers, willingly or otherwise, selling their land. All these have made people cash-surplus which beneficiaries often arguably splurge on cars and tractors. A village on the outskirts of Chandigarh hogged the limelight after many of the residents were handed out cheques for a whopping Rs 2 crore for every acre of land that the incumbent SAD-BJP government had acquired some years ago. The land was acquired for purposes of an international airport which got functional last month. Many beneficiaries bought high-end luxury cars from the compensation they received.

High-end luxury cars and SUVs parked in farm houses and rural households are not hard to spot. Punjabis’ fad for luxury cars is here to stay. Punjab accounts for the maximum penetration of Mercedes car sales in India despite the state's small area and comparatively low population. When motor major Audi became the first luxury car brand in India to cross 10,000 units sales in 2013, Punjab was a major contributors to its sale figures.

Among the many cash-rich splurging on high-end cars, Punjab politicians, at least a lot of them, are in the same league. Politicians here haven’t remained aloof to this evergreen fad for luxury cars. Rebel scion of the ruling Badal family and president of People’s Party Punjab (PP) Manpreet Badal loves cars. He has a fleet of about 9 cars, including a Toyota Fortuner, a Willys, a Ford jeep, a Nissan Jonga and of course, a Massey tractor, and more. Deputy leader of the Congress the  Lok Sabha and former Chief Minister  Amarinder Singh too has a few luxury cars.

Cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur, MLA, have declared  half-a-dozen motorcars. Barring one, all are high-end vehicles. Sidhu and wife’s fleet of cars include a Toyota Land Cruiser, BMW 7, BMW X-6, a Toyota Fortuner and a Toyota Corolla. The guns come next. The culture of guns is another fascination Punjab won't give up. There is one weapon  for every 93rd  person in Punjab.

Official data suggests that the population in Punjab has at least four times more number of weapons in their possession than even the Punjab police. The number of licensed weapons in Punjab have seen a significant surge in the last three years--from 3.75 lakh weapons in 2012 to nearly 5 lakh in the current year.

The government is deliberating upon bringing in a policy that could check this trend by way of further regulating the eligibility of those needing a weapon. Many individuals have more than one gun licence. Punjab's gun numbers are second only to Uttar Pradesh despite the state being far less in size and population.