Government agencies have widened their investigation into an alleged Rs 1,160 crore rice diversion case, bringing 56 private rice mills and 22 ethanol plants across 17 districts under scrutiny. The probe is focused on determining whether subsidised government rice allocated for ethanol production was diverted through private mills instead of being used for its intended purpose.

Investigation expands after truck found at private rice mill

The investigation began after a truck transporting government rice from a Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse to an ethanol plant was allegedly found inside a private rice mill. What initially appeared to be an isolated incident has now expanded into a multi-district probe involving 17 seized trucks, over 50 witness statements and multiple accused.

Authorities are trying to establish how much of the nearly 5 lakh metric tonnes of government rice supplied to ethanol plants was actually converted into ethanol and whether a portion of it was diverted before returning to government warehouses.

Alleged circular trade under investigation

Investigators suspect that subsidised rice supplied to ethanol plants at around Rs 2,320 per quintal may have been sold to private rice mill operators at higher prices instead of being processed into ethanol.

According to the investigation, the rice was allegedly repacked by private mills and deposited back into government warehouses as custom-milled rice. Officials are also examining whether the original paddy supplied for milling was sold separately in the open market or transported to other states, potentially allowing multiple profits from the same stock.

Authorities believe the alleged arrangement, if established, could have enabled financial gains at several stages while avoiding actual ethanol production.

Officials examining monitoring failures

The investigation is also looking into whether lapses in monitoring or possible collusion allowed government rice to re-enter official warehouses without proper verification.

Officials are checking whether rice previously released under the ethanol scheme was accepted again as newly milled stock through the custom milling system.

Police register FIR, arrest four accused

Balaghat Superintendent of Police Aditya Mishra said the case began after authorities received information about three trucks carrying government rice from FCI warehouses to the AVJ Agrico ethanol plant. During a joint inspection by Revenue, Food and Police officials, one truck was allegedly found inside Sancheti Rice Mill, leading to the registration of an FIR for cheating.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising 20 to 25 members was subsequently formed.

According to the police, investigators have so far:

• Arrested four people
• Identified more than 13 accused
• Recorded statements of over 50 witnesses
• Issued notices to 56 rice mills
• Seized 17 trucks
• Obtained non-bailable warrants against two individuals

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and further action will be taken based on new evidence.

Production records and transport data under verification

Investigators are comparing FCI dispatch records with ethanol production data, transport logs, warehouse receipts and custom milling records.

Authorities are also examining production capacity, electricity consumption, machinery usage and raw material records at ethanol plants to verify whether the quantity of rice supplied matches actual ethanol output.

Similar verification is underway at rice mills to determine whether their claimed milling operations correspond with electricity consumption, labour deployment and machinery records.

Use of fortified rice raises additional questions

The case has drawn additional attention because the grain under scrutiny was fortified rice, which is enriched with iron, folic acid and Vitamin B12 to help address anaemia and malnutrition among children, pregnant women and adolescent girls.

Investigators are examining why fortified rice was supplied for ethanol production when distilleries generally use broken rice as feedstock. They are also looking into whether FCI followed stock rotation norms while allocating rice under the scheme.

Collector sought wider scrutiny

Confidential communications from the Balaghat Collector reportedly recommended verification of whether rice released for ethanol production actually reached the designated plants. The Collector also sought scrutiny of the allocation process, transportation chain, utilisation certificates and the roles of FCI officials, ethanol companies, transporters and rice mill owners.

The investigation currently covers nearly 5 lakh metric tonnes (50 lakh quintals) of government rice, valued at approximately Rs 1,160 crore at the subsidised allocation price.

The Indian Army has announced the Agniveer Common Entrance Examination (CEE) Result 2026, allowing candidates to check their qualifying status through the official recruitment portal. The Army Recruitment Office (ARO)-wise merit lists have been uploaded on joinindianarmy.nic.in, where candidates can download the PDF corresponding to their recruitment region.

The merit lists contain the names and roll numbers of candidates who have successfully cleared the written examination and become eligible for the next phase of the Agniveer recruitment process.

How to check Indian Army Agniveer CEE Result 2026

Candidates can access their results by following these steps:

• Visit the official Indian Army recruitment website.
• Click on the Agniveer CEE Result 2026 link available on the homepage.
• Select the relevant Army Recruitment Office (ARO) or recruitment region.
• Download the merit list PDF.
• Search for your roll number or name to confirm your qualification status.

What happens after the Agniveer CEE result?

Candidates shortlisted in the Common Entrance Examination will now have to undergo the remaining stages of the recruitment process. These include:

• Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
• Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
• Document Verification (DV)
• Medical Examination

Only candidates who successfully clear every stage will be considered for final selection under the Agniveer recruitment programme.

Candidates advised to verify details carefully

After downloading the merit list, candidates should carefully check all the information mentioned in the document. If they notice any discrepancy related to their result or personal details, they should immediately contact their respective Army Recruitment Office (ARO) for assistance.

Candidates are also advised to keep checking the official Indian Army recruitment portal for updates regarding the schedule, venue and instructions for the upcoming physical tests, document verification and medical examination.

Delhi’s air quality fell into the ‘poor’ category on Sunday after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 261, marking its highest level in more than 85 days, according to official data.

The reading was the highest since April 17, when the AQI stood at 263. Just a day earlier, Delhi had recorded an AQI of 140, while air quality had largely remained in the ‘moderate’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories for most of the month.

Transnational dust behind spike in pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the sudden deterioration in Delhi-NCR’s air quality was mainly caused by long-range winds carrying mineral dust generated by storm activity in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

According to the commission, these dust-laden winds reached northwestern India, including Delhi, resulting in a significant rise in PM10 concentrations. Strong surface winds across the Indo-Gangetic Plain also contributed to the increase in pollution levels.

The CAQM said Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘poor’ category for the next few days before improving once the transnational dust spell weakens.

No GRAP Stage-I restrictions for now

Despite the worsening air quality, the CAQM decided not to implement GRAP Stage-I restrictions, stating that the current pollution episode has been triggered by transnational dust rather than local emission sources.

However, the commission directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to intensify dust control measures across the city.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 201 and 300 falls under the ‘poor’ category.

Delhi experiences humid weather

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature at Safdarjung reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.3 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius, one degree above the seasonal average.

Although the actual maximum temperature remained below 37 degrees Celsius, high humidity pushed the feels-like temperature to 45.7 degrees Celsius by 5:30 pm.

Among other weather stations, maximum temperatures were recorded at 37 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road, 36.6 degrees Celsius at Palam, 36.2 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar and 36 degrees Celsius at Ridge.

Minimum temperatures stood at 27.1 degrees Celsius in Palam, 27.2 degrees Celsius in Lodhi Road, 27.4 degrees Celsius in Ayanagar and 25.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge.

Weather outlook

The IMD has forecast strong surface winds during the daytime on Monday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to remain around 37 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Relative humidity varied between 64 per cent at 8:30 am and 52 per cent at 5:30 pm.