Hyderabad: Crime Investigation Department (CID) officials on Sunday arrested 14 rice millers across the state for alleged irregularities, including the diversion of fine rice and replacing it with coarse rice. The civil supplies department found prima facie evidence of irregularities in 19 districts and lodged criminal cases, according to officials.
Officials said timely intervention helped prevent a potential loss of Rs 242 crore to the exchequer, as 45,414 metric tonnes of paddy had already been allotted to the millers. Three criminal cases have been registered, and 14 millers have been arrested.
“The investigation is underway to establish the alleged diversion and substitution of rice varieties, determine the role of millers concerned, examine how allotments and conversion requests were processed, collect all documentary, technical and other corroborative evidence, quantify the actual loss and ascertain whether any officials or other persons were involved,” officials said in a press note.