SATISH HANDA
Past scenario in Haryana state reveals that frauds in rice mills has become a regular practice causing huge loss to the state government in which paddy stocks given to rice millers for custom milling has not been returned and such cases remain under trial in the courts for a long time . Few months ago Haryana state government had deployed nearly 300 investigation teams for physical verification in 1304 rice mills in the states when fraud worth 42589 metric ton paddy of value worth crores of rupees was detected in1207 rice mills causing heavy financial loss of value worth Rs 90 crores. P.K. Das Additional Chief Secretary Food & Supply Department Haryana said that embezzlements in this regard by rice millers will not be tolerated and action is being taken to recover entire amount along with interest from defaulters.
Information reveals, another fraud by the rice millers has been detected recently in six districts Karnal, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Yamunanagar and Palwal districts in which custom milling stocks of 19000 metric ton paddy have been found short in rice mills according to investigation report was illegally sold by the rice millers during lock down period in higher rates. Verification teams detected that stocks worth 12000 metric ton paddy were found short in rice mills only in Kurukshetra district. According to District Food & Supply Controller Kurukshetra, embezzlements have been detected in nine rice mills at Babain, eight rice mills at Ismailabad, six rice mills at Kurukshetra, five rice mills at Pehowa, four rice mills at Thol and two rice mills each at Ladwa and Jhansa in the district. Kushal Pal District Food Supply Controller disclosed that orders by state government has already been received to attach properties of 64 rice millers involved in cheating government agencies in case amount is not deposited by them till August 31, 2020.
Information also reveals that as many as 25 rice mills has been identified defaulter in Yamunanagar district allegedly involved in cheating state government failed to return 22671 quintal rice after milling and criminal cases are being registered against them. Similarly, list of rice millers involved in frauds worth Rs 40 crore is long in Kaithal district and stern action for the recovery of amount with interest for which FIRs are being registered with police. According to Ved Pal District manager HAFED, out of total number of 192 rice mills in Ambala district, they have yet to receive rice of value worth Rs 30 crore, which include 76 trucks only from five rice mills in Mullana area.
There are two rice millers associations in Haryana state: Haryana Rice Millers Association and Haryana Pradesh Rice Millers & Dealers Association expressed deep concern over rice millers involved in corrupt practices. Chairman of Haryana Rice Millers Jwail Singla said that the rice millers in the state should return entire stock of rice to government agencies to save their reputation and the association is going to terminate the membership of defaulters with immediate effect.
