Explainer: How physical verification of rice mills in Karnal exposed a ghost procurement scam
Inspections revealed inflated stock entries
Karnal, Updated At : 07:04 AM Nov 20, 2025 IST
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The large-scale physical verification of rice mills in Karnal district has unearthed a massive ghost paddy procurement scam that had long remained buried under manipulated records, fake gate passes, and collusion between millers, procurement officials and middlemen. Inspections revealed inflated stock entries, paddy stored outside mill premises, and wide gaps between actual and reported arrivals in mandis. Significant quantities of paddy—never brought to grain markets—were shown as “procured” on paper. Here is what you need to know about the unfolding scam:
