Hyderabad: Civil Supplies Department steps up raids against illegal rice trade

The Civil Supplies Department conducted surprise raids across Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts from October 29 to 31, registering 11 FIRs and initiating action against 18 trading entities over alleged weight manipulation, inflated pricing, licensing violations and PDS rice diversion.

Hyderabad: The Civil Supplies Department has intensified its multi-agency raids to dismantle illegal rice trading, artificial scarcity and price manipulation.

Surprise raids were conducted across Hyderabad and Rangareddy districts from October 29 to 31, 2026. The crackdown targeted retail and wholesale establishments, resulting in 11 FIRs and legal action against 18 trading entities, Civil Supplies officials said.

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The inspections uncovered several irregularities allegedly aimed at defrauding the public. Inspectors caught traders manipulating weights by affixing “26-kilogram” labels on bags containing only 25 kilograms of rice. Furthermore, violators were found pasting exorbitant price stickers directly over the manufacturers’ original printed rates.

Officials also discovered traders operating without mandatory Trade, GST, Labour or FSSAI licences, alongside cases of illegal diversion and hoarding of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. Eleven FIRs were registered across Saroornagar, Jeedimetla and Alwal police stations against habitual offenders.