Mahasamund
Today, farmers stopped the procurement work at the paddy procurement center of Gram Panchayat Bemcha, adjacent to the Mahasamund district headquarters of Chhattisgarh, due to irregularities in paddy weighing. The irregularities in weighing paddy came to light when a farmer found a difference in the weight using electronic scales. After which the investigation confirmed the irregularities in the scales. This created huge resentment among the farmers and they created a huge ruckus and got the paddy procurement work stopped. On receiving information about the matter, administrative officials reached the spot and investigated the matter and assured the farmers of justice. The farmers are now demanding an FIR against the center in-charge.
Know how the error was revealed
On Friday, a farmer from Bemcha reached the society with 32 quintals of 20 kg of sarna and coarse paddy. When the paddy was weighed at the procurement centre, the weight of the paddy was displayed as 40 kg on the electronic scale. When the farmer became suspicious about the error in the scales, he got the paddy of the same bag weighed outside, this time the weight of the paddy came out to be 42 kg. A difference of 2 kg of paddy was found, leading to anger among the farmers that more paddy was being taken from them. Angered by this matter, farmers started protesting against the purchase of paddy at the procurement center and got the work stopped.
Error in moisture measurement also
Apart from irregularities in weighing paddy, farmers have also complained about moisture measurement. The moisture content of paddy was showing 14.6% in the old machine and 17.6% in the new machine, due to which the farmers had to take the paddy back.
What came out in the investigation?
On the spot, the officials got the farmers weighed. In this, the weight came out to be 42.630 kg and 42.580 kg, whereas according to the rules of the government, the weight of 40 kg paddy and 700 gram sack is fixed. The officers also weighed the sacks of paddy purchased three days ago in front of the farmers, in which the weight was displayed as 39. 890 kg, while in some scales, 39. 800 kg was displayed.
officials’ assurance
Let us tell you that paddy procurement has started in the district from 14th November. A day before this, 5 electronic scales were sent to Bemcha paddy procurement centre, in which irregularities were found today. Regarding this matter, BM of District Cooperative Central Bank said that there is a fault in the electronic scales, due to which it is not showing the correct weight. The difference after investigation will be given to the farmers.