The controversy surrounding ex-YSRCP Minister Perni Nani has gained momentum. Officials have discovered a staggering irregularity involving 7,577 bags of ration rice that have gone missing from a warehouse linked to his family. The initial reports pegged it at around 1,000 bags, but after subsequent investigations, the loss was revised to 3,000-4,000 before finally settling at the astonishing figure. TDP leader Kollu Ravindra has alleged that the rice was smuggled out of the country from the Kakinada port, and such serious allegations will raise doubts regarding the administration’s seriousness in responding to the issue.
Rice Scandal Timeline: How It Unfolded
The case dates back to the YSRCP government’s tenure, during which Perni Nani’s wife, Perni Jayasudha, operated as a ration dealer. The family used their private warehouse to store rice supplied by the government for public distribution. However, after the state’s leadership changed, suspicions arose when a significant stockpile of rice was found missing from the warehouse.
Jayasudha filed a formal complaint, prompting authorities to investigate. For weeks, the exact quantity of the missing rice remained uncertain. Initial assessments suggested that 1,000 bags were unaccounted for. This figure later ballooned to 3,000–4,000 bags before officials confirmed the final count: an astonishing 7,577 bags.
Government Departments Scramble to Investigate
The Civil Supplies Department, Revenue Department, and police have joined forces to unravel the case. Although a case was registered on December 10, the investigation faced hurdles in determining the precise scale of the loss. The confirmation of 7,577 missing bags has now put the spotlight firmly on the Perni family’s involvement.
What’s Next?
Despite the damning revelations, no arrests have been made so far. Reports suggest that members of the Perni family, including the former minister, are pursuing anticipatory bail to avoid detention. Meanwhile, questions loom over the government’s course of action as public pressure mounts for accountability.
This high-profile rice scam has not only raised eyebrows but also fueled political tensions, with the opposition accusing the ruling party of shielding its former ministers. As investigations continue, all eyes are on how this case will unfold.
