Hooda alleges paddy procurement scam worth crores, seeks impartial investigation

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda today visited the Karnal grain market, alleging that a multi-crore paddy procurement scam has once again surfaced in the district. He accused the state government of shielding influential players involved in the alleged irregularities.

“This time too, a major scam has been exposed in Karnal during paddy procurement. But instead of taking action against the big players, the government suppressed the scam by targeting small employees,” Hooda said. “The truth is that this scam is not limited to Karnal — scams worth hundreds of crores are being carried out across Haryana.”

Responding to queries, the senior Congress leader alleged that the state had witnessed mining, liquor and other scams worth thousands of crores under the BJP government. “SITs were formed to investigate these scams, but their reports were never made public,” he said.

Hooda also accused the government of exploiting farmers. “Farmers are being paid Rs 500 to Rs 800 less than the MSP. New excuses are found daily to avoid purchasing their crops, forcing them to sell at throwaway prices. Crops like paddy, millet, cotton and moong are all being purchased below MSP, causing severe losses to farmers,” he said.

He added that farmers’ complaints have remained the same for years. “The government is looting farmers by not purchasing at the MSP. Every procurement season brings fresh scams and exploitation,” he said.

Expressing concern over the law and order situation in the state, Hooda said, “Unless law and order improves, no state can progress. Nearly 60 organised criminal gangs are active in Haryana today. Law and order has completely collapsed. Because of fear, no one is willing to invest in Haryana, and this has become a major cause of unemployment.”

The former CM said rampant unemployment has pushed many Haryana families into crisis. “Thousands of youths are being humiliatingly deported from the US — most of them from Haryana. These young people, distressed by unemployment, sold their land and homes to go abroad, spending Rs 50 to 60 lakh each to reach the US. Now they are being deported, leaving their families devastated and debt-ridden,” Hooda said.

Accusing the ruling BJP of making false election promises, he said, “The BJP has not fulfilled a single promise made to the people. Skilled workers are being fired, ration cards of the poor are being cancelled, and the promise of giving Rs 2,100 per month to women has also turned out to be false. After promising the amount to 85 lakh women, the government is now trying to wriggle out by paying only a few selected beneficiaries.”