https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Why is This IAS Officer Disguised as a Farmer?

G Surya Praveenchand, a 2019 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, has come to the aid of the farmers by disguising as one of them. By taking strict action against the fraud shopkeepers who would dupe the farmers, the officer has given also stringent message to those involved in the black marketing of fertilizers in Vijayawada.
IAS Pravenchand
Indian Masterminds Stories

Many would remember the iconic hindi movie Nayak starring Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor. The most vivid memory of the film, released in 2001, is how Anil Kapoor, who became the Chief Minister of the state while challenging the CM in an interview, dealt with corruption by disguising as a common man. A similar stint was seen in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada recently when IAS officer G Surya Praveenchand disguised himself as a farmer to nab the culprits involved in black marketing of items belonging to farmers.

Mr Surya Praveenchand, who is currently posted as Deputy Collector and SDM of Vijayawada, was constantly receiving complaints of black marketing in the sale of fertilizers like urea and DAP (Diammonium Phosphate). To find out the veracity of these allegations, Praveenchand disguised himself as a farmer and went to the shops of prominent Mandals like Kaikaluru and Mudinepalli, to purchase fertilizers.

Vijayawada SDM Praveenchand purchasing Urea at a fertiliser shop in Kaikaluru. (Credit: Social Media)

HOW AN IAS DISGUISED AS A FARMER

Mr Praveenchand, a 2019 batch IAS officer, while talking to Indian Masterminds said, “When the complaints reached us, we decided that we should stand with the farmers. I disguised myself as a farmer to buy manure. One shopkeeper even refused to give me manure, while another was selling manure at a price which was higher than the MRP. Both were giving fertilizers without taking Aadhar card numbers from farmers (a mandatory requirement) and were not even making any bills. They were working by making a receipt on a blank paper instead of a printed bill with a stamp. While as per the ‘Fertilizer Control Order’, manure cannot be sold without Aadhar card which requires an Aadhaar number verification. This also indicated that they must be hoarding too.”

On the other hand, some shopkeepers ran away after closing the shop before Mr Praveenchand arrived for investigation, detecting many irregularities there.

IAS officer dons farmer’s hats to hold inspections (Credit: Social Media)

WHAT SHOULD BE THE PRICE?

Mr Praveenchand says that the MRP price of Urea is Rs 266.50 per bag while the DAP should be sold at Rs 1200 per bag. But these shopkeepers are selling urea for Rs 280 to Rs 300 and DAP at Rs 1250 or more. During his surprise inspection, the shopkeepers who had been found guilty were taken into custody and legal actions initiated against them.

Mr Praveenchand told Indian Masterminds, “We didn’t want to target specific shopkeepers. These shops came under the scanner by chance and the black marketers were caught red handed. But we definitely want to send a message to all those farmers who are being cheated in this process. They should get what they deserve. If such irregularities are found again, strict action will be taken.”

Pictures of the IAS immediately went viral on social media, where he is seen disguising as a farmer and going on a motorcycle to buy manure.

G Surya Praveenchand, a 2019 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre. (Credit: His Instagram)

WHO IS IAS OFFICER PRAVEENCHAND?

Mr. Praveenchand is a 2019 batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre. He cleared UPSC-2018 exam with AIR ranking of 64. This was his third attempt. Earlier, he also cleared the All India Service with AIR 512 in UPSC-2017, in which he got the Indian Information Service (IIS). An alumni of IIT Patna, he used to work in the private sector before coming into civil services.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
epfo
ICAS Sanjay Pandey Elevated to Additional Secretary Rank in EPFO
ECI Sadan_ Election
IIS Ashish Goyal Appointed as Director General (Media), Election Commission of India - Know More About Him
Jamia_RCA_resized
32 Candidates from Jamia RCA Clear UPSC CSE 2024, 12 Among Them Women
Eastern Coalfields Limited MoA
CMPDIL and Eastern Coalfields Limited Sign MoA for Implementation of Solar Power Project
REC Limited
IAS Jitendra Srivastava Assumes Charge as CMD, REC Limited - Know More About Him
Uttar Pradesh Police (UP)_resized
3 Senior IPS Officers Reshuffled in Uttar Pradesh, DK Thakur Made ADGP, SSF
IPS logo resized
IPS Officer Satendra Kumar Repatriated to Uttar Pradesh Cadre from NCRB
Satyabrata Sahu IAS
Senior IAS Officer Satyabrata Sahu Empanelled for Secretary Equivalent Post at the Centre
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
UPSC Stories
Shah margi chirag
Fifth Attempt, AIR 4: Shah Margi Chirag’s Steady Climb to Success | Exclusive
After five attempts, Margi Chirag Shah secured AIR 4 in UPSC CSE 2024. Her journey reflects focus, simplicity,...
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 16.36
How CA Harshita Goyal Carved Her Path to UPSC AIR 2
Haryana-born, Gujarat-raised — meet UPSC star, Harshita Goyal, a CA who's now a national name, as she...
UPSC CSE 2024 Results
UPSC CSE 2024 Results: Women Dominate with 3 Out Of Top 5 Ranks - Know More About the Toppers
In UPSC CSE 2024, three women secured top 5 ranks, highlighting gender progress in India’s civil services....
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
epfo
ICAS Sanjay Pandey Elevated to Additional Secretary Rank in EPFO
ECI Sadan_ Election
IIS Ashish Goyal Appointed as Director General (Media), Election Commission of India - Know More About Him
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT