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Rice smuggling goes unabated
Although the officials of the Enforcement Directorate, Revenue and Civil Supplies Department conducted several raids and seized bags of rice hoarded illegally in godowns and fair price shops, they are unable to put an end to it as it is going on with the connivance of some unscrupulous officials, rice millers and benami dealers according to an action plan or well thought out strategy and helping
Nizamabad: There seems to no end to the smuggling of rice from fair price shops in the district as it is going on unabated.
Although the officials of the Enforcement Directorate, Revenue and Civil Supplies Department conducted several raids and seized bags of rice hoarded illegally in godowns and fair price shops, they are unable to put an end to it as it is going on with the connivance of some unscrupulous officials, rice millers and benami dealers according to an action plan or well thought out strategy and helping it to cross the borders of Nizamabad.
There are a total of 87 fair price shops in the Nizamabad district and out of these, 12 were found to be run by benami dealers. Ten others were involved in cases relating to bogus ration cards.
Although the government appointed in-charges for the fair price shops, four of them were again found to be benamis and these benamis formed a criminal nexus with the corrupt officials and politicians so that their activities could be carried out in a smooth manner. Even the Deputy Tahsildars and other middlemen are helping in the smuggling of rice.
They get prior information on the time of bringing the rice to the mandal level stock (MLN) points and divert it to other areas outside the district in vehicles before the arrival of the enforcement directorate sleuths.
Even though it is an open secret that the officials know about such illegal activities they are remaining silent and indifferent.
Furthermore, the corrupt fair price shop dealers are not even leaving out the fine rice meant to be supplied in government schools for the mid-day meals scheme.
There are a total of 2274 government schools and 183 residential hostels in the district. Around 2.25 lakh students study in these schools and they require 1175 metric tonnes of rice.
Taking advantage of such a situation, the unscrupulous ration dealers and middlemen are indulging in smuggling.
The locals alleged that a political leader in Nizamabad was running six benami fair price shops and though he was involved in several cases, no action was taken against him.
However, speaking to the media, NIzamabad RDO Yadi Reddy said action would be taken against those who indulge in smuggling of rice if people lodge any complaint.
