Probe finds record of gate passes deleted in 2 more Karnal mandis

Days after the issue of deletion of gate passes of nearly 90,000 quintals in seven grain markets of the district came to light, more such cases have emerged in two more grain markets. The investigation has uncovered an additional deletion of gate passes of nearly 8000 quintals in two more grain markets, indicating gross negligence. With this, the deletion of gate passes has reached for 98,000 quintals.

The gate passes are issued to farmers when they come with grain in mandis. They can also generate gate passes on their own from any other place to sell their produce in grain markets.

Proxy procurement?

A Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board official has hinted at the possibility of a deliberate attempt to issue “fake gate passes” to cover up already procured paddy or PDS rice from other states.

“We have found the deletion of gate passes of nearly 8,000 quintals in two more markets. It requires a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible and whether there is a deliberate attempt to defraud the system,” said an official from the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB). The official hinted at the possibility of a deliberate scheme, potentially involving issuance of fake gate passes to cover up already procured paddy or PDS rice from other states. “These could be generated for adjusting the paddy or rice procured from other states. It hints at ‘proxy procurement,” he said.

The Tribune first broke the story on the deletion of gate passes across seven markets, raising serious questions about the integrity of the system. Besides, it highlighted the issuance of multiple gate passes within an unfeasibly short time span, which officials confirm is practically impossible. This irregularity alone suggests manipulation or gross negligence that authorities must address immediately, said an official.

Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh has assigned the task of monitoring the procurement and lifting in the grain markets of the district to Additional Deputy Commissioner Yash Jaluka and Assistant Commissioner Under Training Yogesh Saini. Their investigation teams are working to identify discrepancies across all grain markets. A team led by Yogesh has already found a shortage of 4,000 quintals of paddy at a local rice mill. The DFSC has already issued notice to the rice mill and sought a reply in this matter. The DC has also already suggested a thorough investigation with the help of the senior HSAMB officials to fix the responsibilities for irregularities.