Abhay alleges Rs 400-cr scam in procurement

Chandigarh, April 17

Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala today alleged a scam of Rs 400 crore in the procurement of wheat in the state and said farmers were being forced to part with an extra kg of foodgrains with every bag of 50 kg in the name of moisture content.

Abhay told the media here today that when the procurement was to begin, the government promised hassle-free purchase and release of payment within 48 hours.

However, over 50 lakh MT of wheat had already come to grain markets in Haryana, but farmers were waiting for their payments for five to six days, he alleged.

Abhay further alleged the government first changed the moisture norms from 14% to 12% and now, the farmers were being made to part with 1 kg extra with each 50 kg bag on the pretext that the weight could reduce due to heat in the coming days. “When the produce was being purchased by following the parameters of 12% moisture content, how can the agencies demand an additional kg in the name of moisture?” he asked. — TNS