AMN /
CAG has pointed out alleged irregularities to the tune of Rs 40,564 crore in procurement and milling of paddy meant for subsidised public distribution system (PDS). It also pointed out payment of nearly Rs 18,000 crore as support price to paddy farmers without authentication and undue benefits to the rice millers.
The report of the CAG on Procurement and Milling of Paddy for the Central Pool was tabled in Parliament today. The Central Auditor has sought revisiting the existing procurement and milling plans and suggested to the government to transfer minimum support price to farmers’ accounts directly. CAG has also noticed instances of large scale non-delivery of rice by millers to Food Corporation of India or State Government Agencies in Bihar, Haryana, Odisha, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.