Explainer: Why irregularities in paddy procurement point to a larger ‘scam’

Widespread irregularities in paddy procurement across Haryana — particularly in Karnal district— have triggered allegations of a multi-crore ‘scam’ involving rice millers, officials of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), procurement agencies, middlemen and some farmers. From fake gate passes and proxy procurement to missing government stock, each layer of the investigation reveals a deeply well-established system of collusion. The ongoing investigations are not just about missing bags of paddy, but also expose how public trust, farmers’ rights and state funds are all compromised through an organised ‘nexus’. Here is what you need to know about the issues related to paddy procurement.