The scam came to light after an inspection by a nodal officer of the Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Bank (Apex Bank). The irregularities were detected at the paddy procurement sub-centre operated under the Adim Jati Seva Sahkari Samiti Maryadit, Konpara, registered under Tumla police station limits.
According to the complaint filed by Apex Bank nodal officer Ram Kumar Yadav, records at the procurement centre were manipulated in collusion by staff to conceal large-scale misappropriation of paddy. A joint inspection and physical verification revealed a shortfall of 20,586.88 quintals of paddy compared to official procurement records.
Investigators found that while computer records showed the procurement of 1,61,250 quintals of paddy during the season, only 1,40,663.12 quintals were actually transported to rice mills and storage centres. The missing quantity resulted in substantial financial loss to the state exchequer.
Officials estimated the value of the missing paddy at ₹6.38 crore, calculated at ₹3,100 per quintal. Additionally, 4,898 gunny bags—both new and old—used in procurement were also found unaccounted for, valued at over ₹17 lakh. The total loss has been pegged at ₹6.55 crore.
Based on the nodal officer’s report, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against six individuals, including the authorised procurement officer, cooperative society manager, yard in-charge, computer operator, assistant yard in-charge, and deputy assistant yard in-charge.
Police have arrested yard in-charge Shishupal Yadav, 39, a resident of Jharmunda village, and produced him before the court, which remanded him to judicial custody. The remaining accused are currently absconding, and search operations are underway.
Senior Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh said the investigation is ongoing. “Strict action will be taken against all those involved. If further evidence or additional involvement emerges, more arrests will follow,” he said.
The incident has raised serious concerns over oversight and transparency in paddy procurement operations, prompting calls for tighter monitoring of cooperative societies handling government procurement schemes.
