Haryana’s grain markets are witnessing the arrival of paddy sourced from Uttar Pradesh, despite existing restrictions aimed at preventing such imports. An FIR has been registered against a commission agent in the Karnal district for allegedly facilitating the entry of UP-origin paddy, exposing potential lapses in the state’s procurement monitoring system.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the state administration has intensified surveillance at border checkpoints and grain market entry points following reports of paddy from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh entering markets in Karnal district.
The recent action stems from an inspection conducted on October 22, during which Raman Gupta, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Indri, intercepted two trolleys carrying approximately 160 quintals of paddy at the Indri grain market. The commission agent, identified as M/s Tejender Singh Sohan Lal, was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the origin of the produce. A subsequent notice demanding clarification within a day went unanswered.
In the absence of a timely response, Market Committee Secretary Amit Kumar lodged a complaint, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the commission agent and the firm for alleged irregularities in the procurement process. This development has prompted further administrative action to bolster oversight.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rahul Raiya has directed all SDMs and nodal officers responsible for grain markets to enhance surveillance in border areas and market premises. SDMs from Gharaunda, Anubhav Mehta, and Karnal, Devender Sharma, have personally visited grain markets to ensure that no paddy is permitted entry without thorough verification.
Officials have reportedly turned back several paddy-laden trolleys at border checkpoints and market entry points as security measures have been significantly tightened. “We are monitoring the arrival of paddy in grain markets. Paddy without verification will not be allowed. We will also not allow paddy from neighbouring districts or other states without verification through the portal,” ADC Raiya stated.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anand Kumar Sharma emphasized that any irregularities or negligence in paddy procurement would not be tolerated. “The state government is committed to purchasing every grain produced by Haryana farmers. Monitoring will continue in all grain markets,” he added, underscoring the administration’s resolve to safeguard the interests of local farmers.
Sources suggest a potential arbitrage scheme where traders procure paddy from small farmers in Uttar Pradesh at prices ranging from Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800 per quintal. This paddy is then allegedly sold in Haryana at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 2,461 per quintal. The price differential offers a profit margin of Rs 600 to Rs 800 per quintal before accounting for transportation and other associated costs.
The suspected modus operandi reportedly involves bringing paddy from UP and attempting to pass it off as locally grown produce in Haryana. Traders are alleged to be misusing gate passes and farmer registrations on the ‘Meri Fasal Mera Byora’ portal to make the produce eligible for procurement at the MSP. This practice circumvents the established regulations designed to support Haryana’s own farmers.
Information from traders indicates that Haryana-based traders are approaching small farmers in areas of Uttar Pradesh, including Sujanpur, Bareilly, Rampur, Bijnor, and Moradabad. These farmers then sell their produce to the traders, who allegedly facilitate its entry into Haryana. Bogus registrations on the online portal are reportedly employed to disguise the origin of the paddy and enable its sale at the state-mandated MSP.
The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Sir Chhotu Ram) has voiced concerns, alleging that paddy originating from Uttar Pradesh and other neighbouring states is being procured and then sold at inflated rates in Karnal’s mandis through the exploitation of the online procurement system. Union spokesperson Bahadur Mehla Baldi has called for a comprehensive investigation, including the physical verification of rice mills, and stringent action against all individuals implicated, encompassing both traders and potentially complicit officials.
“We demand a detailed inquiry into the procurement process, as paddy from UP has allegedly been procured at the MSP with the help of officials,” Mehla stated, highlighting the union’s demand for transparency and accountability in the agricultural procurement operations.
The Chenab Times News Desk