Punjab deputy CM asks police to check illegal paddy inflow into state

Chandigarh,  Ahead of the paddy procurement season, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has issued strict instructions to the police department to not allow the illegal “import” of produce from other parts of the country into the state.

Randhawa directed all senior superintendents of police (SSPs) to put up ”nakas” at all main roads and link roads and strictly check vehicles to stop the inflow of paddy into Punjab from the borders of adjoining states, an official statement said.

He said every year there are reports in media about paddy from other states being sold illegally in Punjab, which is totally unwarranted.

Strict measures should be taken to stop this malpractice during this paddy season, he said.

The deputy chief minister also wrote to the principal secretary, home, and the director general of police asking them to deploy additional police personnel in different districts by Saturday evening to ensure that paddy from other states is not brought into Punjab.

Randhawa directed all SSPs to ensure that these orders are strictly followed, especially in districts bordering other states like Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Patiala, SAS Nagar, Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Pathankot. PTI