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Sukhjinder Randhawa behind Seed Scam in Punjab: Majithia

Chandigarh, May 23, 2020 (Yes Punjab News)

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today demanded an independent inquiry by a central agency into a multi-crore seed scam under which breeder seeds of paddy which are still not approved for sale were “manufactured” by a close associate of Jails minister Sukhjinder Randhawa and sold to thousands of unsuspecting farmers at severely inflated rates.

In a statement here, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia while giving details of the scam, said despite registration of a FIR in this case by the State Agriculture department on May 11 no action had been taken against a former ‘kulfi’ seller turned seed manufacturer Lucky Dhillon because he enjoyed the patronage of Sukhjinder Randhawa.

He demanded the immediate arrest of Lucky Dhillon as well as dismissal of the Seed Inspector deputed at Lucky’s seed factory and action against PAU, Ludhiana officials who released breeder seed for multiplication. He said the investigating agency should also examine the minister’s role in the seed scam adding the accused was also known to Pradesh Congress President Sunil Jakhar who had still not flagged the issue despite claiming to be very pro-farmer.

He also demanded that the government stop farmers from using this spurious seed and give alternative seed free of cost to them.

Majithia proof Randhawa Scam

Giving details, Mr Majithia said a FIR was registered at Ludhiana after farmers approached the Agriculture department with information that spurious seed which had not been certified by PAU, Ludhiana was being sold at highly inflated price of Rs 200 per kg after being marketed as PR-128 and PR-129 varieties. Both these varieties are breeder varieties which have not been cleared for sale by private agencies and are sold in very small quantities by PAU at the rate of Rs 70 per kg.

The SAD leader said a raid was conducted at Brar Seed Store in Ludhiana and more than 750 quintals of seed packaged as PR-129 and 100 quintals of seed packaged as PR-128 were seized. He said it was also revealed as per the bill book that the seed had been “manufactured” by Karnal Seed Company. He said following an inquiry it was revealed that Karnal Seed Company was in fact situated at Veroke village in Dera Bana Nanak and owned by Lucky Dhillon, a close associate of Sukhjinder Randhawa.

He said the seed company started only two years back and still functioned anonymously without any signage. Mr Majithia said this was not all. “Now it has also come to light that the Seed Inspector who was responsible for certifying the seed manufactured at Karnal Seed Company was also from the Minister’s village Dharowali and had been recruited into service in 2018”.

He said it was because of the complicity of the Seed Inspector that all seed bags of Karnal Seeds were duly tagged to lend authenticity to the illegal activity.

Mr Majithia said it was apparent that both the manufacturers of the seed as well as the sellers had committed a fraud against farmers who were already passing through an economic crisis and were also committing suicide. “It appears that even at this time of pandemic the Congress party is hell bent on cheating farmers by resorting to one scam after another be it liquor, sand mining or PPE kits scams”.

He appealed to farmers who had been duped in this manner to come forward and register complaints. “It is clear that the seeds of PR-128 and PR-129 were multiplied without any approval. It now needs to be ascertained how such a huge level of multiplication took place despite the fact that both varieties are in a breeder seed stage and very less stocks of the seeds are available with PAU, Ludhiana”.

Senior leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheeema and Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra also attended the press conference.


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