Jharkhand: Rice sacks labelled “Govt of Bangladesh” found in Jamtara; Supply Minister Ansari calls it “Worrisome” 

The district administration conducted a raid at Rameshwara Rice Mill Private Limited in Bena village, Jamtara, on December 17, exposing a suspected case of black-marketing and cross-border smuggling of government grains. The operation uncovered 50 sacks of rice labelled with “Bangladesh,” alongside the seizure of over 200 empty sacks with similar markings. The mill has been sealed pending further investigation.

Details of the Raid

Acting on a tip-off about the alleged black-marketing of government grains, the district administration constituted a special team to probe the matter. The team, led by District Supply Officer (DSO) Rajshekhar, District Cooperative Officer (DCO) Sujit Kumar, and Jamtara Circle Officer cum Block Supply Officer Aviswar Murmu, launched the raid around 1 PM, accompanied by police personnel.

The operation lasted nearly three hours, during which 36 sacks containing 32 quintals of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice were seized from a mini truck inside the mill premises. Officials also discovered rice being repackaged into sacks marked “Government of Bangladesh.”

Upon hearing of the raid, the rice mill’s owner, Sanjay Parshuramka, arrived at the site and was questioned by the officials. Parshuramka pleaded with the DSO not to seal the mill, citing the risk of spoilage to water-damaged grains stored on the premises. However, the officials proceeded with the sealing, terming the discovery of Bangladeshi sacks and PDS rice a “serious matter.”

Officials React

DSO Rajshekhar stated, “Rice was being packed in sacks marked with ‘Government of Bangladesh.’ Additionally, a significant amount of PDS rice was found. This is a grave issue that raises concerns about the misuse of government grains. The case will be investigated thoroughly, and strict legal action will follow.”

“The administration and police team received prior intelligence about the misuse of PDS rice. However, the discovery of rice in Bangladeshi packets during the raid shocked the authorities. It appears that a smuggling racket has been active for a long time,” a source, who was part of the raid team was quoted by TOI.

Broader Implications

Dr. Irfan Ansari, Jharkhand’s Supply Minister, condemned the incident, describing it as “serious and worrisome.” He hinted at the possibility of an organised gang operating across the border. “There are indications that this gang could be linked to Bangladesh. The case will be rigorously investigated, and the perpetrators will face stringent punishment,” he assured.

Ansari said, “The mill has long been under suspicion, with the district administration receiving repeated complaints. Although a detailed investigation is ongoing, preliminary information suggests the mill may have ties to a particular political party.”

The discovery has raised alarms about potential cross-border smuggling operations and the misuse of government-supplied grains intended for the public. The sealed mill and confiscated rice are now key pieces of evidence in the ongoing investigation.

Next Steps

The district administration has initiated legal proceedings against the mill owner and other suspects involved. The case is expected to uncover further details about the network and scale of operations.

Jamtara Deputy Commissioner Kumud Sahai confirmed that the process of filing an FIR is underway in connection with the raid and seizure. Speaking to TOI, Sahai said, “No arrests have been made yet, but the recovery of such a large quantity of rice and sacks suggests the involvement of an international syndicate.”

Sources have also claimed that the mill owner had previously been arrested by Nepal police for allegedly supplying counterfeit medicines.

This incident has reignited debates on the effectiveness of monitoring and distribution mechanisms for government-subsidized grains, as well as the need for tighter border controls to curb smuggling.