The Punjab Vigilance Bureau, on the instructions of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, will keep close watch by surprise checking of grain markets across the state during the ongoing paddy procurement to ensure that farmers did not face any difficulty in selling their crops.After a special meeting held here today with senior officers at Vigilance Bureau (VB) headquarters, Chief Director BK Uppal informed that instructions have been issued to all the SSPs of various VB ranges and other officials to keep tab on the grain markets and conduct surprise checking regarding paddy purchase arrangements and get feedback from farmers and arhtiyas. He added that special teams would be constituted comprising officials of food and civil supplies department, procurement agencies and civil administration to conduct these inspectionsElaborating the motive behind the observation drive he informed that Vigilance Bureau would ensure that farmers should not be harassed or exploited during the purchase of paddy either by officials of procurement agencies or by commission agents through corrupt practices. Uppal assured the farmers that Bureau has been fully committed to safeguard their interests and corruption at any level in the procurement process would not be spared.He said the teams have been also instructed to give a transparent report in case they found any irregularity in the weighing, quality control, purchase, payment and lifting process or lack of basic facilities. In addition to this, allotment of mandis/shellers and transportation of paddy to warehouses/millers would also be under scanner to explore and expose any nexus between procurement agencies and arhtiyas.Vigilance chief said strict action would be initiated against the erring officials if any discrepancy was found to the bureau during the drive. He appealed the people to report corruption by the public servants at Vigilance Bureau’s toll free number 1800 1800 1000 without any hesitation.