Probe begins into diversion of custom milled rice worth Rs 150 crore in Nirmal

Certain rice millers from Bhainsa Assembly segment allegedly defaulted on the CMR allocated by the State government for custom milling from 2020 to 2024 seasons

Nirmal: A probe has been initiated into the alleged diversion of custom milled rice (CMR) worth Rs.150 crore in the district recently.

Certain rice millers from Bhainsa Assembly segment allegedly defaulted on the CMR allocated by the State government for custom milling from 2020 to 2024 seasons. They then reportedly sold the grains to mills in Maharashtra, causing huge losses to the government. Complacency by officials concerned in ensuring delivery of the grains to the government is being blamed for the diversion.

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It was learnt that the officials allocated the paddy produce to the millers without conducting field inspections by accepting bribes. Defunct mills were shown as functioning rice mills on official records and the paddy was earmarked to them for CMR. Similarly, the paddy was given to certain millers who defaulted on the grains and were booked for delaying the delivery of the rice grains in the past.

Already, district supplies officer Kiran Kumar, civil supplies corporation managing director Gopal and enforcement deputy tahsildar Rama Devi were placed under suspension for their role in the diversion of the CMR. Officials said that a probe was begun into the misappropriation of the grains. It was learnt that the officials were planning to take stern action against those who were involved in the diversion and who helped the millers in defaulting the rice. Similarly, officials of the task force and vigilance departments are going to lay a special focus on the diversion and to expose the wrongdoers.

In December, 17 mills out of the total 76 mills located in the district were found to be defaulting the grains during inspections of the officials in the past. Cases were registered against seven millers under relevant sections of the Revenue Recovery Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita for failing to deliver rice grains.

Meanwhile, the errant millers began making efforts to approach public representatives seeking their help in avoiding cases and arrests. They are reportedly offering huge bribes to the elected representatives. They amassed assets in the name of their family members and relatives in Maharashtra with the help of income earned through illegally diverting the rice grains.