Telangana deploys Greyhounds, OCTOPUS soldiers to crack down on defaulting rice millers
Telangana has deployed 28 trained Greyhounds and OCTOPUS personnel to intensify action against defaulting rice millers through surprise inspections and criminal proceedings. The move follows record 154 LMT paddy procurement worth ₹40,000 crore, with the Civil Supplies Department adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards misappropriation and violations.
Hyderabad: Telangana Civil Supplies Department has deployed 28 personnel from elite Greyhounds and OCTOPUS units to crack down on rice millers who default on government obligations.
The specially trained teams will conduct surprise inspections across the State and initiate criminal action against millers found violating regulations.
Greyhounds, OCTOPUS personnel join Civil Supplies
The 28 police personnel have been attached to the Civil Supplies Department’s Enforcement and Vigilance wing and will function as special task teams.
Civil Supplies Commissioner M. Stephen Raveendra briefed the personnel at Civil Supplies Bhavan on Friday and directed them to intensify field-level enforcement against defaulting millers.
As the personnel are entering a new operational domain, they underwent a three-day specialised training programme at the Telangana Police Academy.
The training covered legal provisions and procedures related to essential commodities and Civil Supplies operations, equipping the teams to carry out inspections and enforcement activities.
Surprise inspections across Telangana
The special teams will be deployed across the State with immediate effect. Their primary task will be to conduct intensive field inspections of defaulting rice millers.
Their experience in tactical operations and surprise inspections is expected to strengthen the department’s enforcement mechanism and help detect violations more effectively.
Record paddy procurement
During the briefing, Raveendra highlighted Telangana’s record paddy procurement during KMS 2025-26.
Criminal cases for violations
The State procured 154 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of paddy, while the government spent around ₹40,000 crore during the procurement cycle to support farmers.
The Commissioner made it clear that the department would follow an absolute zero-tolerance policy towards misappropriation and operational defaults.
Millers found violating government regulations will face immediate registration of criminal cases and stringent legal action, he warned.
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Source : News Meter
