Authorities in Karnal have launched an investigation after paddy and wheat cultivation was allegedly recorded on non-cultivable panchayat land in Shambli and Amupur villages for 2023-24 and 2024-25. Preliminary checks suggest that crops were falsely entered on the Meri Fasal, Mera Byora (MFMB) portal, which is mandatory for selling produce at the minimum support price (MSP). Officials suspect this could be a case of document manipulation to facilitate “proxy procurement”, potentially causing losses to the state exchequer.

Acting on a complaint, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh has ordered a comprehensive probe involving the District Revenue Officer (DRO), Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA) and District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO). The teams have been tasked with verifying whether crop entries were made on non-cultivable land, and if so, whether any gate passes were generated or produce was shown as sold against these registrations.

“The issue came to my notice, and I have ordered a detailed probe. The report will be placed before the District Public Relations and Grievance Redressal Committee meeting, chaired by Haryana’s Public Health Engineering and Public Works Minister Ranbir Gangwa. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty. Registration of panchayat land on the MFMB portal requires an OTP sent to the sarpanch,” said Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh.

He added that crop entries on non-cultivable land were a serious concern. “We will also verify whether any sale was shown in the grain markets against these entries,” the DC maintained.

Initial findings point to major discrepancies. In Amupur, crops were registered on land belonging to the cremation ground, school premises and other clearly non-cultivable areas. Similar anomalies were found in Shambli, where crop entries were allegedly made on land unsuitable for agriculture, an official involved in the inquiry confirmed.

A local resident alleged that during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 registration cycles, paddy and wheat were falsely shown on government land that is barren, residential, or otherwise unfit for cultivation. The complainant claimed the registration was done using OTPs issued to village sarpanches, indicating a deliberate attempt to manipulate records.

Confirming the investigation, DDA Dr Wazir Singh said, “We are verifying the facts related to the MFMB portal.”

DRO Munish Kumar Yadav added that discrepancies had been flagged and notices were issued to patwaris of both villages to check the jamabandi records.

DDPO Kanchan Lata said her department would submit its findings along with the Agriculture and Revenue Departments.

“Cultivation of crops was shown on non-cultivable land. This suggests large-scale misuse of the MFMB portal and manipulation of land records,” an official associated with the probe said.