One more truck from Bihar loaded with paddy seized

The district administration found one more truck from Bihar loaded with paddy on Thursday evening. The total number of such trucks stacked with paddy from Bihar has risen to four in the past one week. Meanwhile, authorities charged market fee and Haryana Rural Development Fund (HRDF) from three millers, while notice has also been issued to a rice mill to deposit the market fee and HRDF.

As per information, a team from the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB), led by District Marketing Enforcement Officer (DMEO) Saurabh Choudhary, intercepted a truck loaded with paddy near Namastey Chowk in the outskirts of the city on National Highway-44. After inquiry, the driver admitted the paddy had been brought from Bihar for a rice mill situated on Kutail Road in Gharaunda. The DMEO directed the Gharaunda market committee secretary to issue a notice to the miller and submit a detailed report.

“Along with team members, I found a truck loaded with paddy from Bihar. The secretary has been asked to conduct an inquiry and submit a report," said DMEO Choudhary.

However, Saurabh Gupta, president, Karnal Rice Millers and Dealers' Association, refuted the allegations on rice millers saying trade was free across the country and a trader could buy from any state. “Rice millers are bringing paddy from a few states for private milling as the government has lifted a ban on non-basmati rice export,” said Gupta, adding that the association will not stand by those involved in wrong practices. “I appeal to all millers to deposit market fee as well as HRDF within the prescribed seven days after delivery,” he added.

Meanwhile, team members also found that the trucks loaded with paddy from Bihar were heading towards Kaithal and Kurukshetra districts, following which the team members alerted the authorities of the concerned districts.

This is not the first incident. Earlier, two trucks loaded with paddy from Bihar were confiscated at a rice mill, while another truck was found near Karnal grain market on NH-44 heading to a mill in the Gharaunda area. “Two trucks going to two separate mills have already been identified. One miller has deposited around Rs 40,000 as market fees and HRDF," said Chander Parkash, Secretary, Gharaunda, adding that notice to another rice miller has been sent.

“We are keeping a vigil on the arrival of paddy from other states,” said Anil Kumar, District Food Supply Controller (DFSC).

Sources in the HSAMB revealed that 'parmal' varieties were being brought from Bihar due to the absence of an Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) system there. Millers in Haryana are required to pay 2 per cent market fees and 2 percent HRDF on the total cost of paddy. However, some traders evade these fees by sourcing paddy from Bihar, taking advantage of the loophole.

The sources claimed that some millers sell PR-14 rice after processing the paddy allotted to them by procurement agencies under the Custom-Milling Rice (CMR) policy in the open market at higher rates. They then replace it with cheaper paddy from Bihar to fulfil their CMR. Under the CMR system, a miller must return 67 per cent of the total rice from the paddy allotted to them.