Mancherial: Civil Supplies officials’ role suspected in Rs 1.39 crore paddy scam

A Rs 1.39 crore paddy procurement scam in Jaipur mandal, Mancherial, has led investigators to suspect the involvement of Civil Supplies officials. The fraud, involving forged records and collusion with traders, has already resulted in arrests and suspension of a police inspector.

Mancherial: Investigators are now focusing on the possible involvement of officials from the Civil Supplies department in the Rs 1.39 crore paddy scam unearthed recently at a procurement centre in Jaipur mandal.

The fraud, which involved the fabrication of records at a procurement centre catering to Narsingapur and Maddulapalli villages, shocked district authorities. Operators, reportedly in collusion with traders from Maharashtra, are said to have forged documents to show excess paddy procurement and siphoned off government funds.

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Following a complaint from the department, police registered a case against 13 persons. Among them, rice mill owner Thatipalli Saikumar has already been arrested, while Srirampur Inspector G. Venuchandar was suspended for allegedly diluting the case and showing negligence in the investigation.

Investigators, however, now suspect that such large-scale misappropriation could not have taken place without the connivance of Civil Supplies officials. “How can an operator swindle Rs 1.39 crore without procuring paddy from farmers and handing over grains to the department?” an investigator asked, adding that the role of officials could not be ruled out.

Officials said cases would be booked against Civil Supplies personnel if their involvement was established. They revealed that the remaining 12 accused had secured anticipatory bail from the High Court and were allegedly pressuring officials to withdraw the case by offering bribes.

District Civil Supplies Officer Brahmanand Rao said the rice mill owned by Saikumar was blacklisted after the scam came to light. “An inquiry is underway, and strict action will be taken against officials found to have aided the operators in misappropriating government funds,” he said.