New Delhi, The CBI has registered an FIR into the alleged irregularities by the Food Corporation of India in allocating subsidised rice meant for poor labourers to the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation , where it was “diverted” to traders for a profit.
“…NERAMAC, being a Government of India-owned enterprise, was not eligible for allocation of rice without e-auction. Only state governments and corporations of state governments were eligible for allocation of rice without e-auction,” the FIR alleged. Naming senior officials of the FCI and NERAMAC, the CBI has alleged a series of irregularities, including allocation in violation of policy, pressure on officials, diversion of rice to traders and preparation of purportedly false records to show distribution to the public, resulting in losses of over ₹ 28 crore to the FCI. The agency said the NERAMAC MD, through three separate MoUs dated March 26, had empanelled three entities as channel partners to distribute agricultural products to consumers and non-governmental organisations such as private retailers, wholesalers, NGOs, etc. “The stated purpose mentioned in these MoUs was different from that mentioned in the proposals sent by NERAMAC on January 7 to the Govt. of NCT, New Delhi. The agency alleged that NERAMAC was not eligible to receive rice at a concessional rate without an e-auction under a 2025-26 policy. The rice was supplied to NERAMAC at ₹ 23,200 per metric ton, while the prevailing reserve price was ₹ 26,900. The inquiry alleges that the concession resulted in a substantial loss to FCI of about ₹ 28.49 crore, according to the FIR.
The CBI has alleged that the additional general manager, NERAMAC, Guwahati, vide letter dated January 7, had requested the “minister , Government of NCT Delhi” for allocation of 31,000 MT rice per week under the category “Sale of Rice without participation in e-auction” under the Open Market Sale Scheme 2025-26. The officials of NERAMAC falsely mentioned in the said MoUs that NERAMAC was authorised to procure and distribute rice under the OMSS policy, though it was not authorised by FCI,” the FIR alleged. The inquiry further alleges that FCI Delhi officials processed the allocation with “undue haste” despite the apparent policy violation.
