ALLEGATIONS OF A Rs. 16 CRORE EMBEZZLEMENT IN PADDY PROCUREMENT

ALLEGATIONS OF A Rs. 16 CRORE EMBEZZLEMENT IN PADDY PROCUREMENT

30-OCT-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BHABHUA-------------------------A case of alleged fraud in paddy procurement—conducted under the Cooperative Department—has come to light in the district. The Jagariya PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Society) in Chainpur block is accused of embezzling approximately ₹16 crore between 2021 and 2026. Chandrashekhar Singh, a farmer from Sherpur village, has submitted a formal complaint to Bihar’s Minister of Cooperation, the District Magistrate of Kaimur, and the District Cooperative Officer, demanding an investigation and appropriate action.

The farmer alleges that the Jagariya PACS recorded paddy procurement transactions in the names of about 200 individuals who reportedly do not own any agricultural land. It is alleged that this group includes people such as tea sellers and pushcart vendors. It is alleged that government funds were withdrawn by falsely claiming the procurement of paddy in the names of these individuals. However, these allegations have not been independently verified, and the concerned officials have yet to present their side of the story.

In his formal complaint, Chandrashekhar Singh has leveled serious accusations against the PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Society) president, Sanjay Pandey. He claims that although the PACS president owns approximately five acres of land, records were created showing the annual procurement of about 750 quintals of paddy in the names of four to five of his family members—whereas, based on the land area, the procurement should have been limited to 250 quintals. The farmer argues that such a high volume of paddy procurement, given the extent of the land, raises serious questions. He has demanded a thorough investigation into the entire matter to uncover the actual procurement figures and the details of the payments made.

The complaint also mentions Abhimanyu Chaurasia, a tea seller in the Chainpur market. Chandrashekhar Singh alleges that despite Abhimanyu owning no agricultural land, 100 quintals of paddy procurement were recorded in his name annually. The farmer claims that similar records were fabricated in the names of several other individuals to facilitate the withdrawal of funds.

Some farmers have also raised concerns regarding the alleged unauthorized use of their names and land documents. A farmer named Sanjay Singh stated that his land documents were used to falsely record the procurement of paddy, leading to the withdrawal of lakhs of rupees—a fact he discovered only later.

Meanwhile, another farmer explained that he cultivates land leased from someone else. According to him, the procurement of 100 quintals of paddy was recorded in his name, and approximately 80,000 rupees were deposited into his bank account; however, he remains unaware of the specific purpose for which these funds were transferred.

Chandrashekhar Singh has urged the Minister of Cooperation, the District Magistrate (DM) of Kaimur, and the District Cooperative Officer to conduct an inquiry into the entire affair. He has requested an investigation into the paddy procurement records, the farmers' land documents, and the payments made into bank accounts, in order to bring the truth about the alleged fraud to light. They have also demanded action against the public representatives and officials found guilty in the matter.

Now, an investigation by the concerned department and [action by] the officials Their side of the story is awaited. Only after an investigation will it become clear to what extent there were irregularities in paddy procurement and whether there was any wrongdoing in the withdrawal of government funds.

Regarding the matter, Kaimur District Magistrate (DM) Kumar Anurag stated that the issue has come to his attention. A farmer from the Jagariya area of ​​Chainpur has submitted a formal complaint. Orders have been issued to examine all the evidence and take appropriate action. Should any complaints arise during the upcoming paddy procurement process—and if such complaints are found to be valid—action will be taken against all those responsible.