Markfed MD Manoj Soni allegedly receives bribe of 175 crores, reveals ED in Chhattisgarh’s rice scam

Raipur
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently revealed details of its actions, recently carried out at the locations of some rice millers in Chhattisgarh and the former MD of Markfed.
The ED, through its official account, stated that on October 20-21, they had conducted searches at the residences of the former MD of Markfed, the treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Rice Millers Association, district marketing officers, some rice millers, and custom millers.
This investigation, related to the rice scam that occurred in the state, has uncovered several suspicious documents, digital devices, and 1.6 million rupees in cash.
The investigation began based on an income tax complaint. Earlier income tax raids had indicated that certain officials in Chhattisgarh, along with office-bearers of the Rice Millers Association, had engaged in collusion. People associated with Markfed allegedly conspired and obtained millions in bribes for the benefit of millers.
The ED recently took action against the former MD of Markfed and locations associated with rice millers.
In the official statement, ED mentioned, “The government had made a payment of Rs 120 per quintal of rice for custom milling. Chhattisgarh State Rice Millers Association’s office-bearers conspired with the treasurer Roshan Chandrakar to begin collecting bribes.” These bribes were calculated at 20 rupees per quintal of rice and were allegedly collected from the millers.
The MD of Markfed only approved payments of the bills for those rice millers who had made cash payments. However, ED’s investigation revealed that after increasing the payment from 40 rupees to 120 rupees per quintal of rice, a total payment of Rs 500 crore was made. An alleged Rs 175 crore in bribes, which Roshan Chandrakar acquired with the help of the MD of Markfed, have been uncovered.
ED has not mentioned the investigation related to the “civil supplies corporation scam in its official statement.
Searches were conducted at the locations of prominent BJP leader and businessman Gopal Modi in Korba district. Gopal Modi currently holds the position of district treasurer for the BJP and had previously served as the President of the Rice Millers Association. He is the owner of petrol pumps in Korba city and also owns a cinema hall. He is the owner of four rice mills and was a candidate in the state assembly elections.
ED also conducted searches at the residences of Prashant Agrawal, the president of the Katghora Rice Millers Association, in the Korba district.