CBI registers FIR in Rs 28.87-crore rice allotment scam involving FCI, NERAMAC
CBI FIR alleges FCI's Delhi region allotted subsidised rice to NERAMAC, which was ineligible, causing a Rs 28.87-crore loss.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against former officials of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), officials of the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), and private traders in connection with an alleged rice scam involving Rs 28.87 crore.
The case, filed by the CBI's anti-corruption unit, pertains to the allotment of 62,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice to NERAMAC under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) for 2025-26. The FCI's Delhi region reportedly allocated this quota meant for state governments and state corporations.
According to the FIR, NERAMAC lifted approximately 50,645 MT of rice at a concessional rate of Rs 23,200 per metric tonne, against the prevailing reserve price of Rs 28,900 per metric tonne. The CBI has alleged that under the policy dated July 10, 2025, NERAMAC, being a central government-owned enterprise, was ineligible for non-auction allotments. This privilege was reserved strictly for state governments and state corporations.
The agency has claimed that had the quantity been auctioned at the reserve price, the FCI would have earned an additional Rs 28.87 crore. The complaint was forwarded by Rizwan Ahmed, Section Officer (Vigilance), Department of Food and Public Distribution, along with reports from a Neutral Committee and the FCI's vigilance wing.
The FIR states that NERAMAC had sought the allocation claiming the rice was for affordable distribution to the general public, daily-wage earners, labourers, and migrant workers in Delhi not covered under the public distribution system. However, the CBI alleges the rice was not used for this purpose. Instead, private entities and traders were used to lift and resell the rice.
The case names eight accused, including two Assam-based companies and a Kolkata-based firm. The FIR alleges that accused Rajesh Bajaj and Pankaj Saraf contacted traders in Delhi-NCR, asking them to deposit money at Rs 23.25 per kg into NERAMAC's account and pay commissions ranging from Rs 0.64 to Rs 2.50 per kg. The rice was lifted from FCI depots at Ghevra, Mayapuri, and Narela, and subsequently sold to other traders for profit.