Mancherial: PDS rice scam continues unabated
Mancherial: Misappropriation of rice grains meant for the public distribution system (PDS) continues unabated in Mancherial district even as officials register cases against the offenders, as well as invoking the Preventive Detention Act against habitual offenders. The menace is affecting the objectives of the food security scheme by not letting beneficiaries from economically weaker communities get grains, with some of the accused being dealers of fair price shops. Civil supply officials said 930 cases were registered from October 1, 2016 to June 30, 2024, while 19,562 quintals of grain and 385 vehicles were seized. A total of 125 fair price shops were seized for misappropriation of PDS rice in the last eight years. Police and civil supply officials register cases against smugglers when they seize grains in a vehicle following a tip-off. “However, officials are not showing interest in establishing the offences of the offenders before the court. The delay in proving the guilt of the accused has become a boon for the criminals, who try to continue the crime spree, said a source.
When it comes to the modus operandi, gangs consisting of men and women collect rice from the beneficiaries of the system in NTR Nagar in Mancherial, Mandmari, Bellampalli, Hajipur and Thandur mandals of the district. They then transport the grain to nearby rice mills using auto-rickshaws to recycle the rice. According to official sources, the recycled rice was being transported to a notorious receiver at Sironcha taluk centre in Maharashtra by vans and lorries at night. The receiver allegedly bribes some officials to allow the gang to transport the grain every month.
The grain is purchased from the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 12 per kg, while the receiver pays Rs 22 per kg. The gang members earn Rs 1,000 per quintal, said sources. On an average, 2,000 to 5,000 metric tonnes of rice is being smuggled to the neighbouring state every month, officials said. The cost of grain smuggling is estimated to be Rs 20 crore annually. When asked, Additional Collector (Revenue) S Motilal said efforts are being made to stop rice smuggling. He said the problem has reduced in the last two years. Strict action is being taken against dealers of fair price shops. He said steps are being taken to expedite the investigation of rice smuggling cases registered so far. For infographic
Number of fair price shops: 423
Total ration card holders: 2,19,161
Eligible units in the card: 6,38,524
Food security card holders: 2,03,590
Rice provided per month: 5,91,157 kg
AFSC card holders: 15,412
Eligible units in the card: 47,207
Rice provided per month: 5,39,420 kg
AAP card holders: 160
Rice provided per month: 1,590 kg
