483 tonnes PDS rice seized in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: Vigilance and special teams seized 483 metric tonnes of PDS (Public Distribution System) rice at a container freight station in Sheelanagar, Visakhapatnam, on Monday. The operation was conducted in the presence of Minister for civil supplies Nadendla Manohar, who also carried out a surprise inspection of the Visakhapatnam port.

The seized consignment, suspected to be prepared for export, has been withheld pending further investigation. Samples were collected during the inspection, and authorities are set to extend inspections to other licensed warehouses in the area.

Speaking to reporters, minister Manohar revealed that heightened surveillance at Kakinada port led to the discovery of similar illegal activities at Visakhapatnam port. He noted that 483 metric tonnes of ration rice had been intercepted and emphasized the state's commitment to curbing such irregularities.

Manohar disclosed that during the previous YSRCP government, an estimated 1.38 crore metric tonnes of ration rice were illegally exported from Kakinada port, along with approximately 36,000 metric tonnes from Visakhapatnam over three years. The total estimated value of the smuggled rice is around ₹12,000 crore.

The minister attributed the illegal operations to unscrupulous operators misusing the "Quality of Rice Project of India" to divert rice meant for 1.48 crore ration cardholders, tarnishing the state's reputation.

He also announced that inspections will extend to Anakapalle and that joint efforts by the state and central governments will intensify to eliminate PDS rice smuggling. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will submit a report on illegal rice transportation from Visakhapatnam in the coming days. Manohar affirmed that stricter measures would be implemented to ensure ration supplies reach intended beneficiaries without diversion.