Gharaunda police in Haryana have registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) concerning the suspected influx of paddy from Uttar Pradesh into the Gharaunda grain market. This marks the second such FIR in two days, following a similar case registered in Indri, bringing the verification processes for farmers’ records and the functionality of the Meri Fasal Mera Byora (MFMB) portal under scrutiny during the current paddy procurement season.
The Chenab Times has learned that the latest FIR was lodged by Gharaunda Market Committee Secretary Sunil Kumar. The complaint, filed under Sections 318(4), 336(2), and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, alleges potential irregularities in paddy arrivals at the New Grain Market in Gharaunda. The complainant has raised concerns that farmer registration details on the MFMB portal may have been exploited to facilitate the e-procurement of paddy purportedly brought from Uttar Pradesh, though these allegations are pending investigation.
The investigation aims to ascertain the actual origin of the paddy, the extent of misuse of farmer registration details, and the involvement of individuals implicated in the alleged irregularities. According to the complaint, three tractor-trolleys entered the mandi through gate number 3 on October 25 without proper gate passes. These vehicles were reportedly associated with Krishan of Ballah village and M/s Bhim Singh Sons, a firm within the mandi owned by Amit Mann.
Market committee officials reportedly identified irregularities during a physical verification of the paddy arrivals, prompting the issuance of a show-cause notice to the concerned arhtiya (commission agent) by the market committee secretary. In response to these developments, the district administration has intensified surveillance across grain markets and along the Haryana-Uttar Pradesh border, establishing an additional checkpoint near Biana village.
Deputy Commissioner Anand Kumar Sharma has instructed officials to meticulously verify approximately 13,000 farmers registered on the MFMB portal whose paddy has not yet arrived at the grain markets. Patwaris have been assigned the task of verifying these farmers to determine whether the registered individuals are genuine or if fraudulent entries have been made into the system. Officials are directed to conduct these verifications with utmost seriousness, examining whether these farmers have harvested and stored their crops, sold them elsewhere, or have other valid reasons for not bringing their produce to the designated markets.
Rahul Raiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner, stated, “It is the second FIR in connection with the arrival of paddy from UP. We are also cross-checking the data of gate passes with the arrival at the shop of arhtiyas. Strict action will be initiated if lapses are found.”
Both FIRs are currently under police investigation. The inquiry will involve a thorough examination of the e-procurement system, gate pass records, vehicle movement data, procurement logs, and available CCTV footage. Superintendent of Police Karan Goel indicated that the probe is intended to establish the true source of the paddy and determine if farmer records or the procurement system were indeed misused.
DC Sharma emphasized that any negligence would not be tolerated and that decisive action would be taken against anyone found facilitating the arrival of UP paddy in Haryana’s grain markets. He further added, “The verification of 13,000 farmers, who are yet to bring their paddy in the grain markets, will also be done by patwaris. SDMs have been directed to ensure verification with transparency.” The ongoing investigations are expected to shed light on the integrity of the procurement system and the accuracy of farmer registrations within the state.
The Chenab Times News Desk