Twenty-two days after a departmental enquiry in the much-hyped paddy scam in Deogarh district, the culprits have still gone scot-free, raising eyebrows here. It is alleged that the seniors in the civil supplies department are making all efforts to safeguard the interest of the corrupt miller and officials.
As per information, the BMR rice mill of the district had purchased 89,000 quintals of paddy from different cooperative societies of the district and other sources. But after verification, it could was known that the mill really purchased 31,000 quintals of paddy. Hence, the rest paddy of 58,000 quintals costing approximately Rs6 crore was misappropriated as found during the enquiry.
It was further verified that there was no stock of paddy of such huge quantity of 89,000 quintals, but things were alright in pen and paper which clearly indicates a scam. On March 29 and 30, the State enforcement squad and vigilance department conducted a joint raid on the BMR rice mill located at Gopalpali village of Barkote block of Deogarh. Even as the enquiry is yet to be completed, rampant irregularities were found. But the district administration is yet to take any action against the persons.
It was further seen that the entire rice stock in the mill was of below standard and misfit for human consumption. Hence to establish credibility, the civil supply department and the district administration need to be hard on the corrupt officials and the miller, demanded the common people.