A scandal has been uncovered in Wanaparthy involving rice millers taking advantage of the district officers being occupied with election duties. They have been involved in misallocation and smuggling of CMR (Custom Milled Rice) paddy. The government had allocated a significant amount of paddy to 158 rice mills for CMR production during the monsoon and Yasangi seasons of 2022-23. However, there have been discrepancies in the supply of rice to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), with only a fraction of the required amount being delivered and some millers failing to provide any rice at all.
The Wanaparthy Collector, Tejas Nandalal Pawar, held a meeting with the millers and warned of action if the rice was not delivered within a week. Despite these warnings, millers have continued to transport CMR rice to neighboring states via trucks. Recently, police checks in Pebbair town resulted in the seizure of over a thousand bags of CMR rice being transported to Karnataka. Two lorries were impounded, and a case was registered against a miller from Wanaparthy. This incident highlights the ongoing illegal trade despite official interventions.
The District Supply Officer (DSO) in Wanaparthy, Kondal Rao, stated that they are currently procuring new rice during the monsoon season. They have advised millers to promptly deliver CMR rice from previous seasons. Action will be taken against those involved in the illegal transportation of CMR paddy, and repeat offenders may face registration under the PD Act. Comprehensive stock checks will be conducted in all rice mills to ensure accountability.
