In its major action on the paddy procurement scam in Madhya Pradesh, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has booked 145 persons linked to 38 committees in 8 districts. Balaghat, Satna, Sidhi, Maihar, Dindori, Sagar, Panna and Seoni are the names of the districts.
Irregularities concerning the misappropriation of more or less 50,000 quintals of paddy were found during the investigation. One of the major findings has been filed of a criminal case against Shakuntala Devi Rice Mill in Bhurkal Khapa of Seoni district. On the other hand, there was a thorough inquiry conducted on complaints concerning the irregularities in the procurement and milling of paddy procured from the government.
It was found that the records of the rice mill for the year 2024-25 contained serious discrepancies as per the EOW investigation. 3,184 Quintal of paddy had been allotted for milling against which shortage was there. Furthermore, rice worth 2,297 quintals in 4,594 sacks was traced to other States, viz. Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
In Balaghat, further investigation disclosed a vehicle loaded with 28 590 kg rice, which appeared to be from the misappropriated government stock. Based on these findings, the EOW Jabalpur has also lodged a criminal complaint against for his role in the scam, Deepak Agrawal, the owner of Shakuntala Devi Rice Mill, under Section 316(5) of the Indian Justice 2023 code.
Action by the EOW is a clear signal against such crimes which are affecting public money through large-scale corruption and mismanagement in the paddy procurement in Madhya Pradesh, the EOW action said. More moves are expected in days to come as the investigation continues.
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