CID probe likely into Guntur agri-market licensing irregularities

Vijayawada: The state govt is seriously considering ordering a CID or vigilance and enforcement inquiry into alleged large-scale irregularities in the agriculture marketing department, particularly in the grant of licenses in the Guntur agricultural market yard over the past two years and cotton procurement.Sources said preliminary inquiries have revealed significant violations in the manner of licenses were issued, prompting demands from ruling party leaders for a comprehensive investigation. TDP leader Kurra Apparao, who recently assumed charge as chairman of the Guntur agriculture market committee, is learnt to have urged chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and IT minister Nara Lokesh to order a CID probe into the role of senior officials involved in the licensing process.The issue has also reportedly gained significance as Guntur West MLA Galla Madhavi, said to have strongly objected grant of new licenses without bringing the proposals to their notice. MLA reported to have asked marketing commissioner in February itself halt to the issuance of new licenses until the allegations are examined. Despite these concerns, the marketing commissioner is understood to have approved as many as 47 license proposals forwarded by the market committee secretary.The approvals have triggered widespread speculation within political and official circles. TDP leaders alleged that Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh per license changed hands and that several senior officials benefited from the process. Allegations are also being made that a top woman official in the department amassed nearly Rs 5 crore through the grant of licenses.Apart from the licensing controversy, the Guntur market committee chairman has reportedly raised serious concerns over the role of marketing officials during the procurement of cotton by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). The agriculture marketing department acted as the nodal agency on behalf of the state govt for cotton procurement from farmers.In fact, union minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Narasaraopet MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu had repeatedly urged the department to play a proactive role in safeguarding farmers’ interests during the procurement season between Dec-Feb, 2026.However, officials are alleged to have favoured ginning mill owners, leaving cotton farmers in distress prompting them to sell their stocks at low prices. Allegations are rife that a top woman official of marketing department made huge gains during the procurement season through the dealings with private players.Pedakurapadu MLA Bhashyam Praveen reported to have also brought the alleged irregularities to the notice of TDP national working president and IT minister Nara Lokesh. He expressed surprise that the senior official facing serious corruption allegations was recently posted as a district collector during the latest IAS reshuffle.