Gujarat: Groundnut scam rocks Junagadh market yard

RAJKOT: The ghost of groundnut scam has returned to haunt Junagadh Market Yard where 156 gunny bags of groundnut (containing 35kg each) were yet again found filled with cheaper quality of produce on Saturday night.
"When we carried out inspection, we found 156 gunny bags of groundnut which were either wet or of cheaper quality. The bags, which were supposed to be sealed in the presence of farmers, were not done so," said Yogesh Vala, manager of Gujarat Civil Supply Department, Junagadh.
The inspection was conducted after Khedut Hit Rakshak Samity, a farmers' body raised a hue and cry about the possibility of a groundnut scam.
"When we checked the footage of CCTV cameras installed inside the market yard, we saw four unidentified persons sneaking into the yard who later covered the CCTVs with gunny bags. After this, the miscreants may have allegedly culled out good quality groundnut from the bags and mixed cheaper quality into the bags to maintain weight," Vala said.
Apart from the adulteration, the gunny bags also weighed less, he added.
"We have registered a case and started investigation," said K K Zala, inspector, Junagadh police station.
In August last year in Jetpur of Rajkot district, a total of 30,000 sacks of groundnuts (containing 35kg each) were found to be mixed with sand and pebbles.