Punjab Vigilance to keep a watch on paddy procurement

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau will keep a close watch on grain markets of the state during the ongoing paddy procurement to ensure that farmers do not face any difficulty in selling their crops.

After a special meeting held here Tuesday with senior officers at Vigilance Bureau (VB) headquarters, its Chief Director B K Uppal said instructions have been issued to all the SSPs of various VB ranges and other officials to keep a tab on the grain markets and conduct surprise checks regarding paddy purchase arrangements, and get feedback from farmers and 'arhtiyas' (local money lenders).

He said special teams would be constituted comprising officials of food and civil supplies department, procurement agencies and civil administration to conduct these inspections.

Elaborating on the motive behind the drive, Uppal said the Vigilance Bureau would ensure that farmers are not harassed or exploited during the purchase of paddy, either by officials of procurement agencies or by commission agents, through corrupt practices.

He said the teams have been instructed to give a transparent report in case they find any irregularity in the weighing, quality control, purchase, payment and lifting process or lack of basic facilities.

In addition to this, allotment of mandis/shellers and transportation of paddy to warehouses/millers would also be under the scanner to explore and expose any nexus between procurement agencies and arhtiyas, the official said.

The vigilance chief added that strict action would be initiated against the erring officials if any discrepancy was found during the drive.