Hyderabad: The Irrigation, Food, and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has given a warning to rice millers and others involved in the recycling of ration rice. Reddy expressed concern during his inspection of a ration shop in Huzurnagar about the diversion and misuse of ration rice. He stated that a large percentage of ration rice, about 70-75%, is being recycled by millers and others.
Reddy emphasized that the State government takes this matter seriously and will take strict action against those involved in the recycling of rice. He also mentioned that the previous government left the Civil Supplies Corporation with a massive debt of about Rs 56,000 crore, causing an annual interest burden of over Rs 3,000 crore. The corporation has suffered losses of Rs 11,000 crore due to neglect by the previous government.
Moreover, Reddy criticized the policy of the previous government, which entrusted paddy stocks worth Rs 22,000 crore to rice millers without any security or bank guarantee. The corporation is now in a difficult position as it has limited storage space and a substantial interest burden. However, efforts are being made to sell rice to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and explore other options to improve the corporation’s situation.
Reddy also mentioned that the last completed audit of the corporation was for the year 2018-19. He assured that efforts will be made to expedite the audit and implement measures to enhance services to ration cardholders and farmers.
