Kerala’s first tribal panchayat Edamalakkudy hit by ration scam as 64,000 kg rice goes missing

Idukki, Kerala: A major ration scam has been reported from Edamalakkudy, Kerala’s first tribal panchayat, after 64,000 kg of rice meant for public distribution went missing from two ration shops. The irregularity surfaced during an inspection by the Civil Supplies Department, prompted by residents’ complaints that not even a grain of rice was available at the outlets. Authorities have decided to file a police complaint and register a criminal case.

Inspection reveals massive stock mismatch

Reaching the hamlets of Edamalakkudy in Idukki district requires traveling through difficult terrain from Munnar. Residents depend on ration shops for nearly 99 per cent of their food needs. Rice is supplied from the Civil Supplies godown at Pettimudi, with additional stock usually transported in advance for two to three months due to the risk of geographical isolation during monsoon or road works.

It is this buffer stock that has now gone missing. After stocks ran out, the panchayat president directly contacted the Civil Supplies Department. Officials who inspected the site found a stark discrepancy: against a recorded stock of 65,000 kg, only 5,000 kg of rice was physically available in the godowns.

No official records were found to show the distribution of rice worth around Rs 25 lakh to beneficiaries. Officials suspect the stock may have been diverted and sold to outside traders.

Cooperative society under scrutiny

The licence for ration distribution in Edamalakkudy is held by the Girijan Service Cooperative Society, which operates from Munnar but runs the shops through private individuals. As the area lies deep inside forest terrain, office-bearers rarely conduct direct inspections, a factor that has enabled such irregularities.

A similar ration fraud was reported in 2024, when some employees were suspended, but no stringent legal action followed. A fresh probe has now been initiated by the Joint Registrar of the Cooperative Department. The Civil Supplies Department has stated that a criminal case will be registered if individuals or organisations are found to be involved.

Although the ration shop licence is in the name of the cooperative society’s secretary, the person has not yet responded officially. With access to the area requiring forest department permission, officials are preparing to travel to the hamlets for further investigation.