Licence of 3 arhtiyas suspended in Sangrur for malpractice

The Market Committee, Moonak, has suspended the licences of three commission agents (arhtiyas) for a week after they were found indulging in irregularities during the ongoing paddy procurement season.

Officials said the action was taken following complaints from farmers alleging that the traders had filled excess paddy in the gunny bags, leading to financial losses.

Talking to The Tribune, Amandeep Singh, Secretary, Market Committee, Moonak, said, “The licences of three firms - Kalia Trading Company, Sham Lal Darshan Kumar, and Jai Bhole Trading Company - all based in Choolar Kalan village, have been suspended for one week.  During an inspection, the teams found that the traders had filled 200 to 800 gm of extra paddy in several bags. In total, 1,420 bags were detected with excess quantity.”

He added that such practices can create discrepancies in the state procurement records.

“The committee will not tolerate any malpractice that adversely affects farmers’ interests or distorts the procurement system,” said Amandeep.

Notably, some farmers had complained in this regard to the authorities concerned.

Further, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian has also been touring various grain markets for the past few days, issuing warnings that any malpractice will not be tolerated. However, several farmers have also lodged complaints with him against rice millers and commission agents.

The minister has even asked the farmers to submit written complaints to him so that action can be taken.