NACOF serves legal notice against BRS leader RS Praveen Kumar over the allegations and seeks an apology
NACOF India Ltd. on Wednesday filed a legal notice against BRS chief and former IPS chief RS Praveen Kumar over alleged defamatory statements made against the federation at a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on September 17, 2026, regarding the tender for the supply of food and cleaning materials to the Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWRESIS Society) in Telangana.
The federation gave Mr. Praveen Kumar seven days to withdraw the allegations, remove related videos and social media posts uploaded by the people’s news channel and issue a formal written apology on the same platforms. Failure to comply would prompt NACOF to initiate civil and criminal proceedings seeking damages and an injunctive relief, the notice said.
NACOF, the National Federation of Farmers Purchasing, Processing and Retail Cooperatives of India Ltd., termed the claims of Mr. Praveen Kumar and BRS as baseless and said that no evidence was produced to substantiate the claims.
The federation said it is a multi-state cooperative registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 and regulated by the Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies under the Union Ministry of Cooperation. It participated in the open competitive e-procurement bidding process announced on 22 May 2026 and after evaluation of all bids, emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) as per the notification.
NACOF said it received a formal letter of award on 19 August 2026 and provided the required performance security. Since then, it has been supplying commission on contract rate basis to residential institutions and welfare hostels in all 33 districts of Telangana. The federation insisted that every stage of the selection process was documented.
While NACOF welcomes the legitimate scrutiny of public procurement, it said public figures, particularly those with a background in senior public service, have a responsibility to distinguish verified facts from speculation. The alleged false allegations damaged her reputation and reputation, she said.
Published – 14 Oct 2026 20:55 IST