Concerns Arise Over Possible Weight Increase of Wheat Stock Through Water Sprinkling or Exposure to Rain Without Tarpaulin
By Amrit Pal Sidhu
Sherpur (Sangrur), August 7
Dr. Tejpal Singh Gill, the Chairman of PUNGRAIN, executed a surprise inspection at Rehan Rice Mill, Vaibhav Rice Mill, and Mahadev Rice Mill located in Sherpur Center, District Sangrur, to review the wheat stored for the Kharif year 2025-26.
During the inspection, it was noted that wet grain was being processed. The investigation indicated that the stock being handled was excessively moist.
The warehouse manager, Ajay Kumar, Inspector Jagdev Singh, and Parmjit Singh were also present during the inspection.
Chairman Dr. Gill indicated that in his presence, the weight of wheat bags from various stacks in the warehouse was evaluated, averaging 54 kilograms.
The weight of bags selected by the inspectors was also around 52.5 kilograms.
This implies that the weight of wheat bags may have been increased by sprinkling water or leaving them exposed to rain, with the excess weight being sold illegally.
Additionally, a truck was found loaded with low-quality wheat, which had been rejected by FCI due to its poor quality.
The wheat was infested with insects, and the weight of the bag was found to be between 52.5 and 53.5 kilograms, raising suspicions that water might have been added to increase the weight.
Chairman Gill has directed the Managing Director of PUNGRAIN to investigate the entire issue and take stringent action against the warehouse staff for negligence and irregularities in the storage of wheat, ensuring that the losses incurred by PUNGRAIN are compensated.