C'garh govt cracks down on illegal transport, sale of paddy

The Chhattisgarh government has cracked down on illegal transport of paddy in the past one month and seized 464 quintals in four separate cases in the state, according to state government official.
Besides, action has been taken against middlemen during this period by lodging 37 cases in which 2,192 quintals of paddy was illegally transacted and 6 vehicles were seized.
"All the district collectors have been directed to check illegal transportation as well as sale of paddy by middlemen at cooperatives' procurement centers during the ongoing paddyprocurementprocess at support price in the state," an official said.
The paddy procurement is underway in the state through 1,988procurementcenters of 1,333 cooperative societies since November 15 which will conclude on January 31 next year, he said.

So far, 27.31 lakh tonne paddy has been procured from 6.08 lakh farmers at support price, he added. Meanwhile, all the collectors had been ordered to keep an eye on illegal movement of consignment of paddy specially through inter-state barriers and check-posts besides keeping records of vehicles transporting paddy, the official said.
Moreover, they were also directed to conduct regular inspection to check sale of paddy in illegal manner by middlemen at procurement centers, he said.
Of the four cases of illegal transportation of paddy, two were from Bastar district and as many others from Sarguja district.
Besides, 37 cases were registered against middlemen from whom 2,192 quintals of paddy and six heavy vehicles were seized across the state, he added.