Paddy smuggling foiled in Faridkot: 4 trolleys seized, rice mills face action

To curb the illegal transport of paddy from neighbouring states for sale at Punjab’s Minimum Support Price (MSP), the Food and Supply Department intercepted four trolley loads of paddy, one of which was confirmed to have come from Rajasthan, officials said on Sunday.

The attempt to stock the smuggled grain was stopped at two rice mills located in Hari Naun village of Faridkot. A team from the Food Supply and Market Committee, Kotkapura, led the raid on the mills.

According to sources, one trolley—allegedly carrying paddy bought at non-MSP rates in Rajasthan—was being unloaded when the team arrived, while three others were waiting to offload. In total, four trolley loads of paddy intended for fraudulent sale were seized.

Deputy Commissioner Punamdeep Kaur has ordered a detailed inquiry. She directed police to register an FIR against those involved along with cancellation of the licenses of the two rice mills.