The ration rice disappearance case finally witnessed significant developments involving police and civil supplies departments. A lookout notice has been issued to prevent the family members of former minister Perni Nani, who managed the implicated godown, from fleeing abroad. In tandem with this, civil supplies officials have begun measures to establish the exact quantity of rice missing from the godown.
When the accused filed for bail, the petition hearing was held on Monday and the same has been adjourned to 19th of this month. However, amidst these legal procedures, the deafening silence from the alliance leaders of YSRCP has invited severe criticism, particularly among the ruling party workers. Many feel that the issue should be addressed more transparently by the joint Krishna district's ministers and public representatives.
After receiving notices to pay for the missing rice along with penalties, Perni Nani's family paid two installments: Rs. 1 crore through demand drafts on the 13th and another Rs. 70 lakh on Monday. In all, Rs. 1.7 crore has been paid in fine. Critics say that such leniency enables the accused to easily wriggle out of accountability at a time when they are moving towards securing bail.
This controversy has also brought the complacency of the district civil supplies officials to the fore. Analysts claim that this godown has an unacknowledged linkage to a former minister of the former government, and possibly with some members of the ruling party of Krishna district have their influence on this particular case.
Criticism has also been directed at Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar and Home Minister Anita for their lack of intervention. Despite the disappearance of 3,708 bags of ration rice from Perni Nani's family-owned godown, no raid has been conducted. Minister Manohar, known for frequent inspections of godowns, rice mills, and ports, has been conspicuously absent in this case.
Similarly, in Home Minister Anita, who routinely holds press conferences to lambast opposition leaderships, has been mum even while a case has been registered against a well-known YSRCP family. Coalition members have questioned her inactions and lack of accountability when the incident is so visibly sensational.
Twenty days have passed since the family lodged a complaint with the authorities, and there is no estimate on the actual quantity lost yet. On Monday, officials tried to inspect the godown, but the staff members were absent. So officials broke the locks in the presence of a lawyer and carried out an inspection. Because of the malfunctioning weighbridge at the site, the weighing processes are being done at another place.
Initially, the family reported to authorities that 3,200 bags of rice were missing. However, official estimates revealed a loss of around 3,708 bags. It was found during recent inspections that the quantity of missing rice might have been more than this initial estimate. Officials expect the finalized figures to be obtained by Tuesday; however, no one is sure about when these rice quantities went missing.
A criminal case was booked on December 10 against godown owner Jayasudha and the manager, Manas Teja, in connection with the ration rice disappearance case. Jayasudha had filed an anticipatory bail petition on the 13th. The case has been posted for Thursday. The prosecution sought a special public prosecutor. Notably, the assistant public prosecutor appointed during the YSRCP regime is still in place.
SP Gangadhar Rao confirmed on Monday that lookout notices have been issued to prevent Jayasudha, the primary accused, from leaving the country.
