Massive Sheep Rearing Scam Exposed in Telangana

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) intensified its crackdown on Wednesday, carrying out searches across multiple locations in Hyderabad. This action is part of a broadening investigation into a money laundering scheme involving sheep rearing and distribution—worth crores of rupees—that allegedly flourished during the previous BRS regime, according to official sources.

In total, eight locations in the city, linked to beneficiaries and middlemen involved, including the premises of G Kalyan, OSD to former BRS minister Talasani Srinivasa Yadav, were raided under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation is traced back to various state police FIRs, leading to new revelations about the scale of the fraud.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, instrumental in exposing several irregularities in the Sheep Rearing Development Scheme (SRDS), highlights improper record-keeping, duplicate tags, and fraudulent invoices. Though initially flagged at Rs 2.1 crore, the potential loss to the state is estimated to exceed Rs 1,000 crore when considering all districts in Telangana, spotlighting alarming lapses in governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)