Irregularities Plague Public Distribution System in Wanaparthy
The Public Distribution System (PDS) in Wanaparthy is riddled with problems as low-quality rice meant for poor families is being diverted and sold for profit. Bribes and negligence by officials have allowed millers, dealers, and corrupt individuals to exploit the system, turning it into a thriving illegal business.
Rice that is distributed free under government welfare schemes is not reaching the intended beneficiaries. Instead, millers are allegedly diverting government-allocated paddy and making large illegal profits. They sell paddy for a profit and then buy back distributed rice from the poor at cheaper rates to supply it back to the government. Moreover, substandard rice is being supplied through bribes, making it unfit for cooking or consumption.
Due to the poor quality of rice, many families are left with no choice but to sell it to middlemen and dealers. The situation is worsened by food security cards being issued to ineligible individuals, who then sell the rice on the black market instead of using it for their own consumption.
In the past, PDS provided essential commodities like rice, sugar, wheat, and kerosene. Now, only rice is distributed, weakening the system and failing to meet its purpose of reducing hunger among the poor.
The illegal trade is reportedly thriving in several mandals, including Pebbair, Khila Ganapuram, Gopalpet, Peddamandadi, Kothakota, Srirangapur, Atmakur, and Madanapuram. Reports suggest rice is being transported from neighboring districts and sold to millers through ration shops. Middlemen buy rice from poor families at Rs 10–12 per kg and sell it to millers for Rs 20–24 per kg, earning profits of Rs 5–10 per kg. Some individuals are reportedly making as much as Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 per month from this illegal trade.
Adding to the issue, allegations have surfaced that police and revenue officials are accepting bribes to ignore these activities. Except for occasional interventions by the Crime Control Station (CCS) police, very few cases are being registered, and official records show limited action to address the problem.
Concerned citizens are now demanding stricter supervision of ration shops and daily monitoring to prevent violations. Experts have suggested canceling food security cards issued to ineligible individuals and ensuring the distribution of high-quality rice to curb the illegal trade.
There is hope that the government’s promise to supply fine-quality rice starting next month could help restore trust in the system. However, much work remains to be done to fix the corruption and inefficiencies.
When asked about the situation, District Supplies Officer (DSO) Kashi Vishwanath admitted to lapses in oversight. “We don’t have enough time due to paddy procurement. We haven’t visited yet, but if there are any shortcomings, we will address them,” he stated.
