Hyderabad: The Telangana Civil Supplies Department registered 11 FIRs and initiated legal action against 18 trading establishments following raids across Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts from October 29 to 31.
The illegal rice trading raids uncovered alleged weight manipulation, price irregularities, licensing violations and illegal diversion of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. The Enforcement Task Force (ETF) conducted the inspections jointly with the Legal Metrology Department.
Civil Supplies Commissioner and Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Government M. Stephen Raveendra directed the enforcement operation. Officials said the inspections targeted retail and wholesale rice establishments suspected of violating consumer protection and essential commodities regulations.
Illegal rice trading raids uncover weight and price violations
During the illegal rice trading raids, enforcement teams found rice bags carrying 26-kilogram labels despite containing only 25 kilograms. Officials said the discrepancy amounted to misleading weight declarations that could result in consumers paying for more rice than they received.
Inspectors also detected alleged price manipulation at several establishments. According to the department, some traders pasted higher price stickers over the original rates printed by manufacturers.
The inspections further identified establishments operating without mandatory trade, Goods and Services Tax (GST), Labour and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registrations or licences.
Additionally, officials reported instances of illegal diversion and hoarding of rice intended for distribution through the PDS. The department said these violations formed part of the findings recorded during the three-day enforcement operation.
Following the illegal rice trading raids, authorities registered 11 FIRs at Saroornagar, Jeedimetla and Alwal police stations. The department also initiated legal proceedings against 18 trading entities identified during the inspections.
Officials said the cases involved alleged violations relating to rice trading, pricing, weight declarations and the handling of essential commodities. Enforcement personnel recorded the alleged violations through on-site videography and photography.
The department said the documentation would support subsequent legal proceedings against the establishments concerned. The accused traders face prosecution under relevant provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the department, the applicable offences could attract imprisonment of up to seven years. However, the penalties would depend on the specific charges and the outcome of legal proceedings.
Civil Supplies Department orders continued monitoring
Civil Supplies Commissioner M. Stephen Raveendra instructed enforcement teams to act against irregularities in rice trading and distribution. The department said the operation aimed to address artificial scarcity, price manipulation and other practices affecting consumers.
Officials also identified the diversion and hoarding of PDS rice as areas requiring enforcement attention. The joint inspections covered retail and wholesale establishments in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts.
The Civil Supplies Department said it would continue monitoring rice trading activities to detect violations involving weights, prices, licensing and essential commodity distribution. It also stated that enforcement measures would continue to address irregularities in the supply chain.