The Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on illegal inter-state paddy transportation, with a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Kotkapura police station in Faridkot district. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said the move reflects the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards the sale of out-of-state paddy in Punjab.

According to officials, the FIR (No. 0184) was filed based on a complaint from a local MARKFED branch manager under sections 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Those booked include the owner of two rice mills in Kotkapura’s Hari Nau village and five individuals from Rajasthan. Police also seized four Rajasthan-registered tractor-trailers carrying illegal paddy.

Following the incident, Minister Khudian, accompanied by Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Barsat, held a meeting with all District Mandi Officers (DMOs) and Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs). They were instructed to strictly prevent any entry of paddy from outside Punjab, especially in the border districts.

Khudian reiterated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s government is committed to protecting local farmers and ensuring transparency in procurement. Officials were also directed to verify moisture content using PAU-calibrated meters before dispatching paddy to shellers.

Meanwhile, Administrative Secretary Dr. Basant Garg urged officers to intensify awareness campaigns against stubble burning and promote eco-friendly straw management methods. Punjab Mandi Board Secretary Ramvir added that adequate arrangements have been made across grain markets and special checkpoints established to prevent unauthorised paddy movement.