Suryaa Telangana Desk: The state government has initiated a crackdown on rice traders involved in creating artificial shortages and committing weight fraud. The Civil Supplies Department conducted widespread inspections across the state from October 29 to November 5, focusing on illegal storage, overpricing, and the illicit trade of ration rice.
Under the directives of Civil Supplies Commissioner and Special Secretary M. Stephen Ravindra, the Enforcement Task Force and the Legal Metrology Department conducted joint inspections. To regulate market prices, the government established maximum retail prices for specific rice varieties: BPT and KNM rice at Rs 66 per kg, RNR (Telangana Sona) at Rs 74 per kg, and HMT and JSR rice at Rs 79 per kg. Millers and traders have been ordered to print the maximum price on every 26-kg rice bag.
Enforcement teams conducted 1,141 surprise inspections at rice mills, wholesale, and retail outlets, resulting in 55 cases, including 35 criminal cases. Additionally, the Legal Metrology Department performed 1,545 inspections and registered 280 cases.
The inspections uncovered several violations, including selling 25 kg of rice in bags labeled as 26 kg, charging prices higher than the fixed rates, and the illegal storage of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. Officials also identified businesses operating without valid GST or food safety licenses.
Authorities stated that strict action will be taken against those repeatedly storing ration rice or creating artificial market shortages. Officials warned that violators could face charges under the Essential Commodities Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including potential detention under preventive laws. The state government confirmed that inspections will continue to ensure rice is available to consumers at fair prices.
