Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: The Food and Civil Supplies department is considering strict action against rice mills in the State who have been evading supply of rice to the government despite accepting paddy from the government procurement, said Minister Surya Narayan Patro today.

“A rice mill will be blacklisted if it fails to provide rice within the specified time period,” the minister added.

The department has lodged police complaints against 64 rice mills whereas in some case the State vigilance has launched probe.

Total 92 mills have defrauded the State government of Rs 134.58 crore by non-supply of rice though they accepted paddy from the government procurement.

For instance, Bajrangbali Rice Mill of Jharsuguda has provided 19,409 quintal rice though it accepted 79,388 quintal paddy in 2016-17 fiscal. The rice mill was supposed to provide 53,984 quintal rice. The Civil Supplies department has ordered special audit of the irregularities as Bajrangbali Rice Mill has caused a Rs 8 crore loss to state exchequer.

Above all, owner of Bajrangbali Rice Mill, Dilip Agarwal has gone absconding after it was found he has provided fake bank guarantee to get paddy from the government.

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