Dhemaji (Assam), 06 December (HS): A large-scale scam involving the misappropriation of government-subsidised rice has come to light in Dhemaji, triggering widespread shock. Allegations of rice being siphoned off during transportation to Dhemaji via railway have now been confirmed following an internal inquiry by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

According to the allegations, a staggering 26,800 bags of subsidised rice — totalling 13,000 quintals — were illegally diverted from the FCI godown in Dhemaji. The current market value of the missing stock is estimated at ₹5.20 crore.

Though the godown is located in Dhemaji, administrative and operational control comes from the FCI Lakhimpur office. Based on complaints, a high-level inquiry team from the Lakhimpur office conducted a detailed inspection at the Dhemaji godown and unearthed the massive irregularity.

Following the preliminary findings, Rakesh Das, the officer-in-charge of the Dhemaji FCI unit, who has been embroiled in controversies earlier as well, along with five other employees, has been placed under suspension. All files and documents related to the godown have been seized as part of the ongoing probe.

The scam has raised serious concerns about how such a large quantity of subsidised rice—meant for government welfare schemes—was siphoned off under departmental supervision. The FCI headquarters in North Lakhimpur, which oversees the godown, is now under pressure to explain procedural lapses.--------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash