- Telangana’s Jowar Procurement System Under Threat
- Authorities Accused of Laxity in Curbing Smuggling
- Traders Making Huge Profits through Smuggling
- Government Urged to Take Strict Action
Article Today, Adilabad:
A massive jowar (sorghum) scam has come to light in Adilabad district of Telangana, with allegations of officials and politicians being involved in the scandal. Despite government efforts to regulate the trade, jowar is being smuggled in from neighboring states and sold at government procurement centers, making huge profits for traders and middlemen.
Smuggling on the Rise
The scam has been going on for some time, with jowar being smuggled in from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. In one recent incident, authorities seized 350 quintals of jowar in Sirikonda mandal, which was being transported from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. This is not an isolated incident, with similar cases reported from other mandals in the district.
Officials Under Fire
The authorities’ handling of the situation has raised eyebrows, with many questioning their motives. In the Sirikonda case, the Icher vehicle involved in the smuggling was seized by the police, but was later released under mysterious circumstances. Locals allege that a local politician intervened to get the vehicle released.
Huge Profits for Traders
The jowar scam is lucrative, with traders making huge profits by selling the grain at government procurement centers. The price difference between the cost price in Maharashtra and the selling price in Telangana is substantial, with traders making a profit of Rs 1,000-1,200 per quintal. This has led to allegations that officials and politicians are colluding with traders to facilitate the smuggling.
Action Needed
The government needs to take strict action to curb the smuggling and bring the culprits to book. With the procurement season coming to an end in a few days, the authorities need to step up their vigilance to prevent further smuggling. If action is not taken, the government’s procurement system will be undermined, and traders will continue to make huge profits at the expense of the exchequer.
