Over Rs 230 crore Custom Milled Rice to be recovered in united Warangal

Metro India News | WARANGAL

Authorities have come under criticism for repeatedly extending deadlines instead of taking stringent action against rice millers accused of diverting Custom Milled Rice (CMR) worth hundreds of crores of rupees. In the erstwhile Warangal district of Telangana, CMR valued at approximately Rs 230 crore from the 2022 23 Yasangi (Rabi) procurement season has still not been handed over to the government. The government had procured paddy from farmers and entrusted more than 300 raw and parboiled rice mills across the united Warangal district with the responsibility of milling the grain and returning it as rice under the Custom Milling Rice (CMR) scheme.

 Paddy allocations were made based on the processing capacity of each mill. However, several millers have allegedly failed to deliver the required quantity of rice even after the stipulated timelines. Officials from the Civil Supplies Vigilance, Enforcement, and Task Force departments conducted multiple inspections at the concerned mills following government directives. During these inspections, authorities reportedly found evidence that CMR stocks had been diverted.

Millers were instructed either to replace the missing grain with an equivalent quantity of paddy or reimburse its value. After the initial deadline expired, officials granted additional time to clear the dues along with a 25 percent penalty. Authorities also seized paddy stocks from several mills and attempted to dispose of them through third-party auctions. However, contractors who won the tenders reportedly faced difficulties in lifting the grain from the mills and eventually withdrew from the process. During this period, some millers are alleged to have diverted even the stocks that remained in their possession.

Recently, State Civil Supplies Task Force Additional Superintendent of Police Prabhakar Rao, along with district officials, held a meeting with defaulting millers. During the meeting, officials directed the millers to clear all pending dues by August 5, describing it as the final deadline. They warned that failure to comply would invite stringent action, including the possible attachment of properties under the Revenue Recovery Act. With only 12 days remaining until the latest deadline, questions remain over whether the defaulting millers will settle the outstanding amounts or if the government will proceed with stricter enforcement measures.