Govt distances itself from rice meet, says support is only non-financial
This story was originally published at 18:29 IST on 27 October 2025
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NEW DELHI – The Ministry of Commerce and Industry Monday clarified that it is only extending "non-financial support" to the proposed Bharat International Rice Conference scheduled to be held at the end of this month. The conference is organised by the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation, and the government is only facilitating the event, the ministry said in a press release.
The government's clarification follows a Sunday report by The Reporters' Collective that the president of the Indian Rice Exporters' Federation is under investigation by federal agencies for alleged financial crimes.
"The entire expenditure of the event in terms of making all logistic arrangements, including booking of venue, hosting of buyers (travel fare, accommodation), etc, is being borne by the IREF and its other co-partners through its own funds or from private sponsorships," the government said. "Thus, expenses for organising the exhibition, buyer-seller meet, technical sessions, creative costs like videos, banners, posters, exhibits, etc, are being completely borne by the organisers."
The Reporters' Collective reported that the Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a first information report against the federation's president Prem Garg in connection with an alleged bank fraud of INR 9.79 billion. Garg is also on the board of the government's Non-Basmati Rice Development Fund, the report said.
On the allegations concerning the federation and its leadership, the department said it "cannot comment on the matter as it is a private affair of the individual and a private trade body." The department also said it has no role in appointing members of the federation.
The department clarified that the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority is providing support to the event by onboarding relevant ministries and departments to the conference to promote rice exports. It also said the conference is co-sponsored by other trade bodies, such as the Rice Exporters Association, Chhattisgarh, and the Rice Exporters Association, Kakinada. End
Reported by Afra Abubacker
Edited by Saji George Titus
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