Crackdown Intensifies on Middlemen and Illegal Traders; 144 Cases Registered So Far, 17,621 Quintals of Paddy and 8 Vehicles Confiscated
Published on: December 03, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
In a sweeping operation to curb illegal paddy trading, the Rajnandgaon district administration on Tuesday seized 649.60 quintals (1,624 bags) of illegally stored paddy worth ₹20,13,760 across six cases. The action, led by joint teams from the Revenue, Food and Mandi Departments, followed strict directives issued by Collector Jitendra Yadav to clamp down on middlemen and commission agents operating outside government procurement norms.
Officials said that repeated involvement in illegal paddy sale may now attract criminal charges, signalling a tougher stance by the administration as the Kharif procurement season intensifies.
With the latest action, the district has so far registered 144 cases in the Kharif Marketing Year 2025-26, seizing 17,621.86 quintals (44,055 bags) of illegal paddy valued at ₹5,46,27,766, along with eight vehicles used in transportation and storage.
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Breakdown of Today’s Seizures
- Rajnandgaon Subdivision:
2 cases; 565 quintals (1,414 bags) worth ₹17,53,360 seized. - Dongargarh Subdivision:
3 cases; 74 quintals (185 bags) worth ₹2,29,400 seized. - Dongargaon Subdivision:
1 case; 10 quintals (25 bags) worth ₹31,000 seized.
Cumulative Seizures in 2025-26
- Rajnandgaon Subdivision:
59 cases; 10,294.80 quintals (25,737 bags) worth ₹3,19,13,880; 2 vehicles seized. - Dongargarh Subdivision:
42 cases; 3,513.26 quintals (8,783 bags) worth ₹1,08,91,106; 2 vehicles seized. - Dongargaon Subdivision:
43 cases; 3,813.80 quintals (9,535 bags) worth ₹1,18,22,780; 4 vehicles seized.
Authorities further informed that 1,500 licensed traders and mandi operators have been placed under strict scrutiny. Sub-divisional officers, tehsildars and officials from the Food and Mandi Departments have been instructed to inspect warehouses and seize paddy stored illegally.
To stem cross-border smuggling, three inter-state check posts have been set up at Bortalab, Patekohra and Kallubanjari, where teams from the Mandi, Home Guard, Forest and Revenue Departments are working round-the-clock in three shifts.
The district administration reaffirmed that the crackdown will continue until illegal procurement is fully curbed.
