Punjab seals borders to block ‘imported’ wheat

 Authorities in Punjab have established a ring of steel along the state border, deploying police and agricultural task forces to block grain from neighbouring states being sold illegally into the local procurement system.

The crackdown in Bathinda district involves nine strategic interstate checkpoints aimed at protecting the integrity of the state’s wheat market. Bathinda deputy commissioner Rajesh Dhiman and district mandi officer Gaurav Garg confirmed “nakas” were now operational at key entry points, including Doomwali and village crossings like Desu Jodha and Kanakwal. Similar measures are in place in Mansa, Muktsar, and Ferozepur.

The multi-agency operation includes Punjab Police and the state’s food and civil supplies department. The move targets “recycling”, where wheat is purchased at lower prices elsewhere and brought into Punjab to be sold at the govt-guaranteed minimum support price (MSP). Officials warned that any firm or individual transporting out-of-state wheat for sale within Punjab will face immediate prosecution.

This article has been republished from The Times of India.