CHANDIGARH: Issuing a strict warning to anyone indulging in bogus milling in state, Food & Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Monday directed the officials to initiate stringent action against offenders even as 69 trucks of outside paddy were seized by the department today only.
The Minister said that we had receiving secret information that paddy was being brought in the mandis of the state from outside states especially from Uttar Pradesh by truck for purchase and sale at cheaper rates. Acting on the tip-off, teams of Food Supplies department alomgwith Punjab State Mandi Board officials and Punjab Police conducted raids at various places leading to seizure of 69 trucks. These collective raids will continue to keep a check on the activity, the Minister added. He said that Food and Civil Supplies Department Punjab would not allow any bogus billing in the state.
He also said that 12 mills were raided in the past and cases were registered in view of bogus billing.
The Food Minister said that during this operation 43 trucks were seized from Shambhu Border and Ramnagar of Patiala and 1 truck from Balbera on which FIR was registered against the owners of 24 trucks while the rest of the action was being taken.
13 trucks were seized from Doomwali Barrier, Bathinda and FIRs has been registered. FIR has also been registered against ML Enterprises, Moga. FIR has been registered against 7 arthiyas in Machhiwara, Ludhiana. One FIR has been lodged in Chhajli of Sangrur.