Major Fraud Alleged in MSP Purchase of Moong and Groundnut in Sikar

Serious allegations of fraud in the procurement of moong (green gram) and groundnut under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme have emerged in Sikar district. Questions are being raised over the functioning of Rajfed, cooperative societies, and local administration.

Alleged Organized Scam
Sources claim that an organized gang exploited the government’s MSP purchase system in Sikar, causing a potential loss of several lakhs of rupees to the public treasury. Some patwaris, girdawars, and employees linked to cooperative purchase and sale societies are reportedly involved.

Procurement Process Under Rajfed
Under central government guidelines, the Rajasthan State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd (Rajfed) purchases crops from farmers at MSP. In Sikar, this responsibility is assigned to purchase and sale cooperative societies. Authorized purchase centers are set up in agricultural produce market complexes where farmers are supposed to bring their crops for sale.

Fraudulent Practices Alleged
Investigations indicate that in many cases, farmers are showing sales directly at cooperative offices instead of the market, allowing fake entries to be made in records while no actual transaction takes place.

Modus Operandi of the Gang
The gang reportedly visits villages, enticing farmers with promises of easy money. They collect land records, bank passbooks, and blank cheques from farmers. With the help of patwaris, they register fake crop details online under MSP. During harvest, farmers receive messages on their phones, while the paperwork is manipulated to divert funds.

Questionable Yields in Dark Zones
Large rural areas in Sikar fall under “dark zones” where water scarcity is severe. Showing MSP crops such as moong and groundnut without proper irrigation raises serious concerns. Locals question how such yields are possible under existing conditions.

Irregularities in Weighing and Payments
Crops purchased under MSP should be weighed according to set standards. However, allegations suggest that weights are manipulated. For example, a standard 35.7 kg sack of groundnut is shown as heavier to claim extra payment per quintal. Payments, which should go directly to farmers’ bank accounts, are allegedly diverted using blank cheques, with middlemen taking the majority share.

Administrative Accountability
The allegations have raised questions about the district administration’s oversight. If an impartial investigation is conducted, it could uncover multiple layers of corruption in the MSP purchase system in Sikar.