Authorities in Haryana have uncovered a fresh set of alleged irregularities in the state's paddy procurement process, prompting an intensified investigation. The new findings suggest a sophisticated scam involving the generation of fake payment receipts and the siphoning of government funds meant for farmers.
Details of the Emerging Scam
The latest probe, initiated by the Haryana government, has revealed that fake payment receipts worth crores of rupees were generated in the names of farmers who never sold their paddy to procurement agencies. According to the emerging details, the alleged fraud was executed by creating fictitious sale records through the state's online procurement portal.
Investigators are focusing on transactions that occurred during the recent procurement season. Preliminary reports indicate that the scam involved collusion between certain officials, commission agents (arthiyas), and possibly other intermediaries. The modus operandi allegedly included using the identities of genuine farmers without their knowledge to create sale entries for paddy that was never actually delivered to mandis or procurement centers.
Investigation Intensifies Across Districts
The state government has directed a vigorous and comprehensive investigation into these fresh allegations. Multiple departments, including the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department and law enforcement agencies, are now involved in unraveling the full extent of the fraud.
The focus of the probe spans several key paddy-producing districts in Haryana. Authorities are scrutinizing digital records, physical receipts, and payment trails to identify the individuals and networks responsible. The investigation aims to determine the total financial loss incurred by the state exchequer and to ensure that all guilty parties are held accountable, regardless of their position or influence.
Impact and Government Response
This new scandal has cast a shadow over the state's public procurement system, which is designed to ensure food security and provide a guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) to farmers. The alleged irregularities represent a direct theft from public funds and a betrayal of the trust of farmers, who are the intended beneficiaries of the procurement policy.
In response, the Haryana administration has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in the procurement process. Senior officials have stated that strict action will be taken against anyone found involved. The government is also reviewing and potentially strengthening the safeguards within its online procurement management system to prevent such fraud in the future.
The unfolding scandal underscores the ongoing challenges in monitoring large-scale government procurement operations. It highlights the need for more robust auditing mechanisms, greater transparency in transactions, and enhanced accountability at all levels of the supply chain to protect the interests of both farmers and the public treasury.
