Haryana CM Saini rejects CBI probe into ‘Rs 5,000-cr paddy scam’, terms charge baseless

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday rejected the Opposition’s demand for a CBI probe or an inquiry by a sitting high court judge into the alleged Rs 5,000-crore paddy procurement scam, terming the charge “baseless” and accusing the Opposition of misleading the House with unverified claims.

The Chief Minister was speaking during a calling attention motion on the alleged scam in the ongoing session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.

Earlier, replying to the motion, Minister of State Rajesh Nagar informed the House that 12 FIRs had been registered against officers, employees, commission agents (arhtiyas) and rice millers in connection with irregularities.

“Departmental inquiries have been initiated against 75 officers and employees and a recovery of approximately Rs 6.37 crore has been made from rice millers,” he stated.

Congress MLAs pressed for an independent probe by the CBI or a sitting high court judge. MLA Ashok Arora alleged that the Rs 5,000-crore “fraud” extended from the ‘Meri Fasal, Mera Byora’ portal to rice mills.

“There was a similar scam in Punjab. The Centre has ordered an inquiry. We demand a similar inquiry and will the farmers be compensated for this loss,” he maintained.

Congress MLA BB Batra claimed that the alleged scam involving paddy from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar entering Haryana had been continuing for 10 years. MLA Shelly questioned the status of the investigation, stating that the government’s standard response had been that an inquiry was underway. “Does this inquiry ever end and what is the outcome,” she asked.

Aditya Surjewala sought details on cross-border tracking measures, while INLD MLA Aditya Devilal questioned whether 12 FIRs were sufficient for a scam of such magnitude and asked about the alleged involvement of political figures.

Responding to the allegations, the Chief Minister said serious accusations must be backed by credible evidence.

“Give us proof of the claim that it is a Rs 5,000-crore scam and show me the letter stating an inquiry is underway in Punjab,” he insisted, adding that multiple safeguards introduced by the government had in fact led to detection of irregularities.

“The systems have helped in detecting the scam and nabbing those involved. We are not saying the systems are perfect. The Opposition should give suggestions and we will strengthen the systems,” he stated.

Saini asserted that whenever instances of fake slips, duplicate entries or other irregularities were detected, the government acted promptly. Unlike in the past, when such irregularities allegedly went unchecked, the present system identifies discrepancies and ensures corrective action.

“The farmers are not worried. It is the Congress that is worried,” he remarked, taking a dig at the Opposition.

The Chief Minister said to prevent recurrence of irregularities, the e-procurement portal was being upgraded. Technology-driven measures such as geo-tagged gate passes, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) for vehicles, geo-fencing of mandis, warehouses and rice mills, and installation of CCTV cameras at entry and exit points were being introduced.

He further said biometric verification of farmers and physical inspections through a mobile application would be implemented. Physical verification would now be conducted strictly within a geo-fenced framework to ensure on-site inspections by designated officials, eliminating the scope for paperwork-based manipulation.