20,000 bags of paddy found in mills before procurement

State government officials today found 20,000 bags of paddy during raids in five rice mills of Sambalpur district before paddy procurement begins in the district.
Officials said there should not be paddy stock in rice mills before the procurement.
The mill owners failed to explain from where they had procured the paddy when the procurement is scheduled on November 15.
"We had received complaints that some rice millers are procuring paddy at price less than the MSP from farmers. Subsequently, as per the instruction of district collector, we conducted raids at 10 rice mills," said Debendra Nanda, Tahasildar of Sambalpur.

Of the 10 mills, 20,000 bags of paddy were found stacked in five during the raids conducted by officials of Civil Supply Department and Revenue Department, Nanda said.
"We have reported the matter to the district collector," he said adding that the rice mills would be show caused.