Record Seizures in Just 7 Days; 3 Interstate Checkposts on ‘Seal Mode’ as District Becomes Ground Zero of Anti-Smuggling Drive
Published on: November 23, 2025
By: Purushottam Tiwari
Location: Rajnandgaon, India
Paddy procurement for the 2025–26 kharif season began on November 15, and the impact of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai’s stringent warning to district collectors is now clearly visible on the ground. In a high-level conference held before the procurement season, the Chief Minister had issued a stern message: “For any irregularity in paddy procurement, the collector alone will be held responsible.”
While the political strategy behind this warning remains known only to the CM, Rajnandgaon Collector Jitendra Yadav has treated it as a direct challenge. Within just seven days, the district has witnessed an unprecedented series of actions against illegal transportation and black-market trading of paddy—something rarely seen in the past 23 years.
Why Rajnandgaon Is a Hotspot
Rajnandgaon district shares a sensitive border with Maharashtra:
- Ambagarh Chowki region connects directly to the state border
- Dongargarh–Durg route allows swift interstate movement
- Open access via Bag River and Dongargaon corridors
With Chhattisgarh’s ₹3,100 per quintal support price—the highest in India—smugglers, middlemen and interstate agents have historically targeted Rajnandgaon as their preferred gateway for illegal procurement. This year, however, the administration has mounted a coordinated and aggressive crackdown involving the revenue department, mandi officials, food department, and police.
Crackdown in Just 7 Days — Massive Seizures Shake the Network
Under Collector Yadav’s directions, joint teams carried out fresh raids again today.
Today’s Seizure:
- 5 cases
- 207 quintals (518 bags) of illegal paddy
- Value: ₹6,41,700
Total Seizure So Far (Kharif 2025–26):
- 35 cases
- 3,859 quintals (9,648 bags) seized
- Total value: ₹1,19,62,900
- 2 vehicles confiscated
These numbers clearly reflect that the district administration is targeting the core supply chain of illegal paddy movement.
Sub-Division–Wise Data (As of Nov 22)
Rajnandgaon Subdivision
- Today: 1 case, 30 quintals (₹93,000)
- Till Date: 20 cases, 2,399 quintals (₹74,36,900)
Dongargarh Subdivision
- Today: 4 cases, 177 quintals (₹5,48,700)
- Till Date: 11 cases, 1,174 quintals (₹36,39,400)
- 2 vehicles seized
Dongargaon Subdivision
- Till Date: 4 cases, 286 quintals (₹8,86,600)
1,500 Mandi Licensees Under Scrutiny
The district has nearly 1,500 mandi licence holders, all placed under an intensive surveillance list. Tehsildars, subdivisional officers, mandi and food department teams have been instructed to:
“Seize any illegal stock immediately and initiate strict legal action.”
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24×7 Border Surveillance on ‘Seal Mode’
To prevent illegal inflow from Maharashtra, three interstate checkpoints are now operating round-the-clock:
- Bortalab
- Patekohra
- Kallubanjari
Teams from mandi, revenue, forest, police and home guard departments are deployed across three shifts to ensure zero breach.
Conclusion: CM’s Warning + Collector’s Action = Trouble for Smugglers
This year, paddy procurement in Rajnandgaon is no longer just an administrative routine—it’s a full-scale operation against illegal trade. Collector Jitendra Yadav’s aggressive approach has sent a clear message: any attempt at smuggling or unauthorized buying will come at a steep cost.
If the current pace continues, Rajnandgaon could emerge as the most disciplined and transparent paddy procurement district in Chhattisgarh.
