Krishna district authorities found a considerable mismatch in the ration rice inventory in the godowns run by the name of Perni Jayasudha, the wife of YSRCP Krishna district president and former minister Perni Venkatramaiah, alias Nani. Among 7,719 bags noted, 3,708 are said to be missing. On Wednesday, following orders from Civil Supplies Corporation MD Manjeer Jilani, District Assistant Manager CH. Kotireddy filed a complaint with Bandaru Taluka Police. After this, a case was lodged against the godown owner Perni Jayasudha and the manager Manas Tej.
The District Civil Supplies Corporation Manager CH. Padmadevi has sent a letter to the Krishna District Superintendent of Police (SP) that reported the missing rice valued at ₹90 lakhs and demanded an in-depth inquiry into it.
Perni Nani has big godowns in Potlapalem, Machilipatnam mandal, which can accommodate 40,000 tons under his wife's name. These godowns were let to Civil Supplies Corporation back in 2020 by then-Civil Supplies Minister Kodali Nani. The godowns were thereafter utilized as a buffer investor godown for 10,000 tons of ration rice to be distributed in public distribution.
Reports indicate that there is a large-scale diversion of rice from these godowns during the YSRCP regime. Officials suspect that the missing 3,708 bags worth ₹90 lakhs were shifted before the elections. Irregularities notwithstanding, oversight by the responsible authorities was reportedly absent.
As the coalition government increased scrutiny of the state's ration supply operations, Perni Nani reportedly took steps to obscure irregularities. Last month, he and his wife wrote to the local authority stating that they have an initial discrepancy of 3,200 bags in the godowns. The letter held technical faults at the weighbridge responsible and pressure to clear stock, and promised to reimburse losses, if any. Perni Jayasudha said she hadn't managed the godown since the onset of her illness, leaving manager B to run operations. Manas Teja.
According to officials, this anticipatory communication was part of efforts to moderate the fallout when the lost stocks were finally discovered.
Inspections headed by JC Geetanjali Sharma and the Civil Supplies Corporation officials took place on 4th May as per letter. Records mentioned that the godown must have stored 7,719 bags of rice. However, only 4,011 were available in the godown. This discovery confirmed a discrepancy, hence further scrutiny was necessary. The officials believe that the rice might be transported to the Kakinada port; however, nothing has been verified till date.
It has brought out the serious lapses in oversight and possible malpractice in the way ration stocks are handled. Investigations continue as officials seek accountability and trace the diverted rice.
