RAIPUR: A bizarre political controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh, with rodents taking center stage in a heated debate over missing paddy worth crores of rupees. Managers at state-run paddy procurement centres have pointed fingers at rats, among other factors, for significant losses of stored grain.
Massive Losses Reported in Kabirdham District
In Kabirdham district alone, officials reported approximately 26,000 quintals of paddy worth Rs 7 crore as damaged, dried, or completely missing from two procurement centres. Initial explanations cited rats, termites, and adverse weather conditions as primary reasons for these substantial losses.
This official stance immediately triggered a fierce backlash from opposition parties across the state. They quickly alleged a widespread scam in grain procurement and storage operations, claiming the rodent explanation served as a convenient cover-up.
Government Issues Scientific Clarification
The state government responded with a detailed clarification, attempting to defuse the growing controversy. Officials emphasized that reduction in paddy weight due to moisture loss represents a natural, scientific phenomenon observed for decades.
They explained that when paddy stores in open conditions, evaporation causes inevitable moisture loss. This physical process leads to measurable weight reduction, a reality recognized across all major paddy-producing states in India. Minor pest-related damage also contributes to these losses, according to the official statement.
Opposition Launches Creative Protest Campaign
Opposition parties refused to accept the government's explanation. They alleged that paddy worth Rs 30 crore across multiple districts including Kabirdham, Mahasamund, Jashpur, and Bastar has either rotted, disappeared, or been officially written off.
The Janta Congress Chhattisgarh launched a particularly creative protest in Kabirdham's Kawardha area. They initiated a 'wanted rats' campaign, plastering posters across the district that humorously sought the missing rodents.
State party chief Amit Jogi made a pointed statement about the campaign. "They keep saying rats ate all the paddy. So we have put up posters and started searching for this missing rat." He then added a provocative question, urging people to inform the party "whether these rats have four legs or two."
Political Leaders Exchange Barbed Comments
As the controversy gained momentum, BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal added more fuel to the fire with a sarcastic remark. He suggested the government should "arrange cats for the treatment of rats" allegedly responsible for devouring the precious paddy.
Congress leaders quickly pounced on this comment, interpreting it as proof that the state government was trivializing large-scale agricultural losses. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took to social media platform X to post a biting critique. His message read simply: "Guarantee of rats, good governance of rats."
The political drama continues to unfold in Chhattisgarh, with opposition parties demanding thorough investigations into procurement center operations. Government officials maintain their position about natural causes for paddy weight reduction, while political rhetoric grows increasingly heated around the unusual rodent controversy.
