Rekha Naik booked over alleged diversion of CMR paddy worth Rs 40.96 crore

Former Khanapur MLA Ajmeera Rekha Naik has been booked over alleged misappropriation of paddy allocated under the Custom Milling Rice process. Officials found a deficit of 9,639 metric tonnes of paddy at her mill, valued at Rs 40.96 crore.

Nirmal: Former Khanapur MLA Ajmeera Rekha Naik was booked on charges of diverting paddy under the Custom Milling Rice (CMR) process on Wednesday. The value of the diverted paddy was assessed at Rs 40.96 crore.

Police said that a case was registered against Rekha Naik, the owner of ARS Industries at Satthenapalli in Khanapur mandal, for alleged misappropriation of CMR relating to three agricultural seasons. Officials of the enforcement department conducted verification of physical stocks at the mill and found that 9,639 metric tonnes of paddy was in deficit for three years. They lodged a complaint with the police.

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Officials said that the mill was allocated 16,664 MTs of paddy in the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. However, 4,379 MTs of rice was delivered to the government. Verifications revealed that 9,639 MTs of paddy were not available. Accordingly, the district manager of the Civil Supplies Corporation, Madhu, lodged a complaint against Rekha.