Wanaparthy Millers Delay Delivery of Grain Worth Crores
In Wanaparthy district, significant irregularities have been reported regarding stocks of Custom Milled Rice (CMR) and Food Corporation of India (FCI) grain. Millers have failed to account for the grain and are delaying its delivery within the stipulated time, allegedly manipulating officials from the Civil Supplies department to avoid scrutiny.
During the years 2021–2022, 2023, and 2024, millers have failed to deliver grain valued at around ₹1,500 crore. Despite repeated warnings from former Collector Tejas Nandlal Pawar, and later interventions by current Collector Adarsh Surabhi, the issue remains unresolved. The millers had assured authorities they would clear their dues by November 30 but have failed to honor their commitments.
Some millers owe the government amounts ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹35 crore each. Even after the formation of the Millers’ Association in August and multiple meetings convened by the Collector, no resolution has been achieved. A district official noted that the prolonged tenure of certain officials, such as Assistant Marketing and Vigilance Officers (AMVOs), has allowed favoritism toward the millers to go unchecked.
For years, the government has invested heavily in providing grain to millers, expecting them to return the processed rice. However, many millers have instead engaged in private trade, earning massive profits while failing to deliver the rice to the government. Reports suggest that some mills do not even have grain stocks, yet the millers continue to make false promises to the administration.
There is growing concern that officials from the Civil Supplies department may be complicit in this manipulation. Locals in the district center openly discuss the possibility of corruption within the department, which is seen as a significant setback for effective governance.
When contacted, Revenue Collector G. Venkateshwarulu addressed the issue, stating, “Previously, the RR Act (Revenue Recovery Act) was imposed on millers. However, the millers challenged this in court. We have requested higher authorities to appoint a general advocate for the case. Once approval is granted, we will counter the case in court and take further action.”
The situation remains unresolved, with the government and district administration actively seeking ways to address the growing losses and inefficiencies caused by the millers’ negligence.
