Raipur
Former MD of Markfed, Manoj Soni, was presented in court by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after his arrest in connection with the Chhattisgarh custom milling scam. Seeking a 14-day remand, ED’s request was met with a court-granted 5-day remand following arguments from both sides. Consequently, Manoj Soni will remain in ED custody until May 4.
Allegations by the ED suggest illegal collections amounting to 140 crore rupees in the state, implicating not only officers but also officials of the Millers Association.
According to sources, Manoj Soni had visited the EOW office, from where ED officials apprehended him and subsequently transported him to various zonal offices.
Businessmen allege that the illicit activities of Manoj Soni and his associates persisted for two years, involving a comprehensive team comprising Markfed officers and officials of the Chhattisgarh State Rice Millers Association. It is claimed that funds were acquired for various purposes, including custom milling, de-husking of rice, thinning and thickening rice, and converting FCI rice into non-basmati rice.
During the ED’s investigation, it was uncovered that Manoj Soni instructed the former District Marketing Officer, Pritika Pooja Kerketta, via Roshan Chandrakar. Instructions were given to pay bills of rice millers who had made payments to Roshan Chandrakar.
Details regarding which rice millers were to be paid were obtained through the respective district’s Rice Millers Association. Following this, Roshan Chandrakar would proceed to make payments to the specified millers, while withholding payments from the remaining ones.
On October 20, 2023, ED conducted a raid, searching the homes of former MDs of Markfed, the treasurer of Chhattisgarh Rice Millers Association, and several members involved in rice milling and custom milling. The raid yielded several suspicious documents, digital devices, and 1 crore 6 lakh cash.
The investigation by ED commenced based on an income tax complaint. Following the investigation, the local ED team submitted a report, leading to the registration of an FIR.
On March 6, 2023, BJP MLA Shivratna Sharma raised concerns in the Assembly regarding the collection of Rs. 20 per ton in custom milling. Allegations emerged that only millers who paid the collection fee received payments, prompting Minister Mohammad Akbar to demand evidence.
Rice millers alleged extortion for payment on fortified rice, claiming corruption and bribery in compliance with the Central Government’s orders to increase the quantity of fortified rice distributed to the poor through the PDS. They cited orders mandating one percent fortified rice kernel in rice deposited in FCI and Civil Supply Corporation, alleging misconduct in adhering to these regulations.
In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detained Manoj Soni, the former Managing Director of Markfed, in connection with the custom milling scam in Chhattisgarh. Soni was apprehended after being summoned for questioning by the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) office, following which ED officials took him into custody along with pertinent documents.
The ED has leveled allegations of illegal collections totaling 140 crore rupees in the state. Notably, this purported malpractice allegedly involved not only governmental officers but also officials of the Millers Association.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the fraudulent activities orchestrated by Manoj Soni and his cohorts had been ongoing for a period of two years. Allegedly, a comprehensive team was assembled for this purpose, comprising officials from Markfed and the Chhattisgarh State Rice Millers Association. It is alleged that funds were extorted for various activities including custom milling, de-husking of rice, thinning and thickening of rice, and the conversion of FCI rice into non-basmati rice.
During the course of the ED’s investigation, it was discovered that Soni had purportedly instructed Pritika Pooja Kerketta, the then District Marketing Officer, through Dahan Chandrakar. Instructions were given to settle bills of those rice millers who had paid the collection amount to Roshan Chandrakar.
Further investigations revealed that information regarding which rice millers were to be compensated was obtained through the respective district’s Rice Millers Association. Following this, Roshan Chandrakar would allegedly facilitate payments to the mentioned millers while withholding payments from others.
In a related development, the ED conducted a raid on October 20, 2023. Officials conducted searches at the residences of former MDs of Markfed, the treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Rice Millers Association, and several other individuals involved in rice milling and custom milling operations. Subsequently, several suspicious documents, digital devices, and 1 crore 6 lakh rupees in cash were seized during the investigation.
The ED’s probe was initiated based on a complaint filed by the Income Tax department. Following the conclusion of the investigation, the local ED team submitted a report, leading to the registration of an FIR.
The issue of alleged malpractices in custom milling was raised by BJP MLA Shivratna Sharma in the Assembly on March 6, 2023. He alleged that a fee of Rs. 20 per ton was being unlawfully collected, with payments being made only to those millers who complied. This sparked a heated debate in the Assembly, with then Minister Mohammad Akbar demanding evidence.
Furthermore, rice millers have alleged extortion for payments related to fortified rice. They claim that corruption and bribery were involved in the distribution of fortified rice, mandated by the Central Government to enhance the nutritional value of grains distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
