HT Correspondent
MANGALDAI, June 7: The small town of Kharupetia, nestled in Darrang district, has unfortunately become a hub for illicit paddy trade. Exploiting the vulnerabilities of local farmers, unscrupulous individuals purchase their produce at significantly lower rates than the government-mandated minimum support price. These profiteers then swiftly transport truckloads of paddy to neighbouring West Bengal on a daily basis.
Reports suggest that a faction within the community disseminates false information among unsuspecting farmers, misleading them about the actual support price of paddy, which stands at Rs 2183. By sowing seeds of doubt regarding timely payment from government purchasing agencies, these manipulators secure paddy at rates as low as Rs 1650-1700 per quintal. This egregious margin of profit, roughly Rs 400 per quintal, fuels the illegal trade as the paddy finds its way to various mills in West Bengal, transported under the alleged oversight of a high-ranking official from the Food and Public Supply Department in Darrang district.
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The clandestine operation sees a constant flow of trucks laden with paddy, departing from key locations within Kharupetia such as Nageshwar Chowk, Block Chowk, V Mart Chowk, and others, bound for destinations in West Bengal. It’s purported that the intricate web of corruption is greased by the compliance of said official, facilitating the movement of paddy through multiple checkpoints with ease.
Under the guise of supporting farmers, the government has set minimum prices for agricultural commodities, including paddy, aiming to bolster their income. However, despite the efforts of legitimate government agencies to procure paddy at fair rates and promptly compensate farmers, a syndicate of black marketers tarnishes this system. Exploiting the farmers’ trust, they siphon profits by purchasing paddy well below the mandated price, subsequently redirecting the produce to other states for significant gains.
