The Chhattisgarh government had purchased paddy from farmers at the minimum support price and stored it in government warehouses. However, 26,000 quintals of this paddy have gone missing without a trace. Officials have claimed that the paddy was not stolen by humans, but was destroyed by rats and insects. The incident has been reported from Kabirdham district in Chhattisgarh.
Including the support price and bonus, one quintal of paddy was valued at ₹3,100. This means the missing stock is worth more than ₹8 crore. The government's explanation has raised serious questions, with many asking whether rats and insects could really destroy paddy worth such a large amount.
Missing stock and investigation
According to media reports, the paddy went missing from the Bazar Charvatta and Baghara procurement centres in Kabirdham district. The paddy, purchased during the 2024-25 season, was stored at these two centres. Together, around 26,000 quintals of paddy are unaccounted for.
A complaint has been filed against the person in charge of the Bazar Charvatta centre, where the biggest lapse is suspected. The market value of the missing paddy from this centre alone is estimated at around ₹5 crore. A high-level investigation has been launched to probe the matter.
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Allegations of record manipulation
The case involves not only missing paddy but also serious allegations of irregularities in official records. These include claims of fake purchase and sale entries, false wage bills, and destruction of CCTV footage. It is also alleged that CCTV cameras were deliberately switched off at certain times.
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Assistant District Food Officer Madan Sahu told a national news agency that an investigation has begun based on these allegations. District Marketing Officer Abhishek Mishra said that Pritish Pande, the employee in charge of the procurement centre, has been removed from duty. However, officials continue to claim that the paddy was damaged by rats, insects, and weather conditions, adding that the condition of this centre was better than many others.
