Paddy procurement in dist marred by irregularities
"Irregularities" in paddy procurement have once again marred the 2024-25 season in grain markets of the district, with instances of alleged issuance of fake gate passes, multiple gate passes and even the deletion of gate passes coming to light.
Besides, unsold paddy being shown on the portal even after a month of the completion of the paddy procurement against the issued gate passes, while physically there was no paddy in grain markets, exposed gaps in paddy procurement.
During the season, some trucks loaded with paddy from Bihar were also recovered by team members. However, later the tax was recovered from millers. Besides, the team members found that paddy was missing in some rice mills, raising questions on procurement.
The paddy procurement was started from September 27. As per the Custom Milled Rice (CMR) policy, government agencies procure paddy, and further allot to rice millers, who return 67 kg of rice for every quintal of paddy they receive.
This season, several discrepancies have come to light. The Tribune had highlighted the issue that entries of gate passes of nearly 98,000 were deleted in different grain markets. It had also raised the issue of issuance of multiple gate passes in a short span of time. The highest gate passes were deleted in the Nissing grain market, where 772 gate passes of 42,633 quintals were deleted. Besides, it had highlighted the issue of issuance of multiple gate passes even in a few seconds. In just 23 seconds, two gate passes were issued, which as per the authorities, is not feasible.
It prompted the district administration to launch an inquiry. The Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh assigned the duty to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Yash Jaluka to look into the procurement process. The ADC also deployed Assistant Commissioner Under Training (ACUT) Yogesh Saini to inquire into different issues. He further conducted physical verification at mills and grain markets.
The investigation has already indicated "foul play" and emphasised on a thorough investigation by involving higher officials of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB).
DC Uttam Singh, who is chairman of the district milling committee, sent the report to the higher authorities on the deletion of gate passes and other alleged irregularities, but no action has been taken.
An official of the HSAMB said fake and multiple gate passes create “ghost” entries of paddy that never reaches official procurement centres.
Experts emphasise on a transparent system to check corruption. They highlight the importance of "Meri Fasal, Mara Byora" portal and issuing of printed receipt of arhtiyas to farmers showing actual weight and rate of the produce.
“The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board issues gate passes to farmers who bring their produce in the grain markets to ensure transparency in recording paddy arrivals and purchases, but there are several loopholes including fake gate passes being issued. A one-time password should be sent to farmers’ mobile number before the issuance of gate passes,” said Dr. Virender Lather, former principal scientist of the ICAR-IARI Delhi, adding that the government should ensure that farmers would get printed slip of actual rate and weight. A copy of it should also go to the secretary market committee for record purposes.
“The government promises smooth procurement, but every year, several issues related to irregularities come to light. Before the start of the season, an IAS-level officer should assign the duty to monitor the whole process of procurement dedicatedly,” he added.
Opposition leaders have sharply criticised the state government for failing to address the recurring crisis. Former Assandh MLA and senior Congress leader, Shamsher Singh Gogi, said, “These loopholes persist because the government turns a blind eye to corruption. Farmers suffer, while middlemen and millers thrive in the name of moisture. There should be a thorough investigation in the procurement of paddy this season,” said Gogi, adding that millers and middlemen procure paddy or PDS rice from other states and adjust it against the fake gate passes to deliver rice to the FCI under the CMR.
Mukesh Ahuja, Chief Administrator, HSAMB, has already indicated a thorough investigation in these cases. “I have received the report from Deputy Commissioner Karnal regarding the deletion of the gate passes. It will also be inquired,” he added.
