Two gate passes in 23 seconds sparks fears of proxy procurement in Karnal mandis

Major irregularities in the issuance of gate passes to farmers during the ongoing paddy procurement season have surfaced in several grain markets across Karnal district. At the Indri grain market, multiple gate passes were issued in quick succession, which officials claim is highly improbable.

Data obtained by The Tribune highlights alarming discrepancies. In one instance, two gate passes were issued within just 23 seconds, while another set of passes was issued in 41 seconds. Furthermore, three gate passes were processed in just 2 minutes and 35 seconds. Officials have expressed doubt, noting that the process typically takes two to three minutes per pass.

Similar patterns were observed across other grain markets. Five gate passes were issued within five minutes, two in just 43 seconds, and another pair in 45 seconds. “Issuing so many passes in such short intervals raises concerns about the integrity of the system,” said an official.

Moreover, multiple gate passes were sequentially assigned to the same firm, which officials deemed highly suspicious. “It is unlikely that so many farmers would bring their produce to the same firm at exactly the same time,” an official added. One firm received 15 consecutive gate passes, while another had seven issued in sequence. These irregularities have cast doubt on the transparency of procurement.

An official from the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) emphasised that the formal process of issuing a gate pass — which includes weighing the trailer, and entering the farmer’s details and mobile number into the system — cannot be completed in seconds. “It takes two-three minutes per pass,” the official said. He further suggested that IDs used to issue gate passes may have been misused to benefit certain firms.

Concerns have been raised that fake gate passes could be facilitating proxy procurement, a practice that has plagued the region in the past. “Such irregularities are not new. Previous scams related to paddy procurement and discrepancies in grain markets and rice mills have also been uncovered,” an official said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh has ordered a probe. Additional DC Yash Jaluka will lead it.

Arhtiya’s licence suspended

During an inspection of Indri grain market, ADC Yash Jaluka found discrepancies at the shop of an arhtiya. The arhtiya had listed farmers who sold their produce below the MSP and documented the involvement of a rice miller in his ledger. As a result, Jaluka suspended the arhtiya’s licence for seven days under Section 10 of the Haryana Agricultural Produce Marketing Act, 1961. A show-cause notice was also issued to the rice mill involved.