Irregularities at paddy procurement centres have once again put the spotlight on systemic corruption, with officials allegedly working hand-in-glove with middlemen to siphon off farmers’ produce. What appears on the surface as routine procurement has, in reality, turned into an organised racket where farmers are quietly short-changed at the weighing stage itself.
Recent administrative raids have revealed disturbing details. Investigations show that procurement staff have been collecting paddy far beyond the prescribed norms, without recording the excess quantity. This unaccounted grain is later routed through middlemen or dummy accounts, causing losses to both farmers and the state exchequer.
According to officials involved in the probe, during weighing, farmers are forced to part with an extra 500 grams to as much as one kilogram of paddy per sack. When multiplied across thousands of sacks procured daily, the illegally extracted quantity runs into several quintals. Since this surplus never finds a place in official records, it becomes easy prey for illegal diversion.
Fake Accounts Used to Absorb Stolen Grain
The inquiry has further uncovered that the excess paddy is adjusted against leftover land holdings of certain farmers or credited to fictitious accounts created solely for this purpose. Employees and middlemen then allegedly split the proceeds, running the operation as a well-oiled network.
The scam came to light after special teams conducted surprise inspections at mandis. At the Gataura and Ghutku procurement centres, discrepancies in weighing immediately raised red flags. Officials also unearthed evidence of misuse of empty gunny bags and manipulation of land records to legitimise the stolen stock.
Action Begins, More Under Scanner
The district administration has so far suspended the in-charges of two procurement centres, while detailed scrutiny of records at nearly half a dozen other centres is underway. The Collector has made it clear that the approach will no longer be limited to suspensions. Criminal cases will be registered against those found guilty of robbing farmers of their rightful produce.
Authorities are now closely examining operators and supervisors whose centres have reported stock levels exceeding actual arrivals or suspicious land surrenders. Teams are also checking whether digital weighing machines were tampered with during procurement. Officials hint that more prominent names could soon surface as the investigation deepens.
“Looting Farmers Will Not Be Tolerated”
Deputy Commissioner (Cooperative) C.S. Jaiswal termed the malpractice a serious offence. “Stealing during weighing and denying farmers their due is a grave crime. Initial action has been taken at Gataura and Ghutku, but this is only the beginning. Our teams are active in every mandi. Employees found colluding with middlemen will not only be dismissed but will also face recovery proceedings and jail,” he said.
As the crackdown intensifies, farmers hope that strict enforcement will finally put an end to a practice that has quietly eroded their earnings for years.
