Karimnagar: Some rice millers in Karimnagar are causing problems by not returning the Custom Milling Rice (CMR) they owe to the government, despite repeated warnings to either hand over the rice or pay for it.
These millers have been neglecting their dues from as far back as the 2021-22 period. In the 2020-21 monsoon and Yasangi seasons, around 7,03,500 metric tonnes of grain were given to millers in the district for milling. The millers were supposed to return rice at a rate of 67 kg per quintal for raw rice and 68 kg per quintal for boiled rice. However, even after four years, little progress has been made. A total of 58 millers in the district need to return 10,81,900 quintals of rice after milling 16,25,236 quintals of grain.
Civil Supplies Corporation officials have issued multiple notices to the millers, as 3,49,945 quintals of rice are still with them. The officials eventually ordered the millers to return 4,37,438 quintals of rice along with a 25% fine. However, 43,774 quintals of rice are still due.
Last December, Task Force and Enforcement officers inspected six mills in Huzurabad, Jammikunta, and Illandakunta. They found that during the 2022-23 monsoon and Yasangi seasons, 5.41 lakh quintals of grain were allocated under CMR, but 2.66 lakh quintals remain unaccounted for. The value of this missing grain is estimated to be over Rs 52.13 crores.
There are concerns that the CMR grain in these mills is being misused due to a lack of regular inspections. While some cases have been registered where wrongdoers were identified, the government is still waiting to receive what it is owed.
It is suspected that the millers are not returning the CMR dues because they have sold the rice in collusion with civil supply officials.
