Kaithal, Oct 7: Administrative authorities in Guhla initiated strict regulatory action after detecting widespread manipulation of moisture-testing equipment used for paddy procurement at the Bhagal grain market. Local farmers Gurnam Singh and Ramdiya raised the alarm after observing that dry paddy meeting the mandatory 17 percent moisture benchmark was systematically registered as having 22 to 23 percent moisture, drastically undercutting the rates offered to growers.
SDM Munish Kumar Yadav’s surprise inspection verified that the official calibration seal on the miller’s moisture meter had been deliberately compromised. A subsequent raid at an associated processing plant in Arnoli village exposed 652 quintals of paddy purchased at Rs 150 to Rs 200 below market value and offloaded off-the-record to evade state market fees. The SDM announced a penalty of Rs 80,300 on the mill management, initiated proceedings with the Department of Weights and Measures, and assured strict monitoring across all district procurement centers to safeguard farmers against distress sales.
