Urges Lokayukta to register a suo moto case
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 9 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has raised serious allegations regarding the misappropriation of rice under the Tide-Over Scheme, which has been in place since 2018.
According to Media Cell, ACAUT, documents in their possession pointed that misappropriation/siphoning of rice under the Tide-Over Scheme has been taking place under the Food & Civil Supplies Department since 2018 till date.
The Tide-Over Scheme, introduced by the Government of India, provides 3872.72 metric tonnes (MT) of subsidized rice to Nagaland every month at a rate of Rs 8.30 per kg. Despite this, ACAUT claimed that there are no recorded beneficiaries for this rice, and that it has been siphoned off or sold in the open market instead. Over the past seven years, more than 31 lakh kilograms of rice have been allocated to the state, yet no direct distribution has occurred.
After investigation, ACAUT Nagaland said there’s enough proof that all the fancy rice brands being sold in the market – purportedly imported from different states in India are nothing but repackaged and polished Tide-Over rice meant for the state of Nagaland.
The group has estimated that the total value of the diverted rice amounts to a staggering Rs 952 crore, further suggesting that such a scheme could not have been executed without the approval of high-level government officials.
In light of this, the ACAUT Nagaland urged the Lokayukta to register a suo moto case and investigate the Tide-Over Rice Scam. Should the authorities fail to act, ACAUT warned that it shall be compelled to seek legal recourse.
