Punjab Vigilance Bureau will conduct surprise checking in grain markets across the State from Saturday onwards to monitor ongoing paddy procurement process. The decision was taken to ensure that farmers and commission agents (arhtiyas) should not face any difficulty or harassment at the hand of any corrupt official.
For the same, all SSPs, DSPs and officials of various vigilance ranges have been asked to conduct surprise checking at the grain markets (mandis) so that farmers did not face any difficulty in selling their crops, said the state Chief Director-cum-ADGP Vigilance Bureau BK Uppal on Thursday.
Uppal said: “To ensure smooth purchase of paddy, the designated employees of food supply department and various purchase agencies would accompany with VB teams so that procurement process should not involve any irregularities and problems.”
“Special teams formed in this regard have been asked to send their inspection reports in case they found any irregularity in the purchase, weight, payment and lifting process or lack of any basic facility. They have also been instructed to get feedback from farmers and the arhtiyas,” he added.
Uppal ensured the farmers that Bureau was fully committed to safeguard their interests and corruption at any level in the procurement process would not be spared.
He also appealed the public to report corruption by public servant and other such grievances at Vigilance Bureau’s toll free number 180018001000 without any hesitation.