483 metric tons of ration rice seized at Visakhapatnam Port, Rs.12,000 crore worth of PDS rice exported in three years. Iron foot on ration mafia
Minister Nadendla Manohar’s surprise inspections – irregularities at Visakhapatnam Port
(By Raja Pentapati AP Bureau Chief)
National News
Amravati December 9 (Bharat News)AP
Amid allegations that Vizag Port has become a gateway for rice smuggling, Minister Manohar’s surprise inspections have uncovered a large-scale smuggling operation.
The minister said that special teams have seized 483 metric tons of PDS rice ready for export at the container freight station. He said that due to increased surveillance at Kakinada port, it has been identified that Visakhapatnam port has been selected for two months.
He said that during the previous YSRCP government, 1.38 crore metric tons of ration rice was exported from Kakinada port unexpectedly, and similarly, about 36 thousand metric tons from Visakhapatnam in three years. If we make a rough estimate, it is said that the value of the rice transported illegally is Rs. 12 thousand crores.
He said that surveillance has been increased at both ports and during this period, it has been revealed in the inspections that PDS rice is being transported on a large scale.
He said that inspections will also be conducted in Anakapalle. He said that in the coming days, we will move forward with iron feet to stop the illegal supply of ration rice, and as part of that, the state and central governments will jointly stop the illegal supply of ration rice.
The minister said that the rice that the government should have supplied to about 1.48 crore cardholders is being diverted and exported to other countries under the name of the Quality of Rice Project of India, thereby earning thousands of crores.
He said that he will work with the authorities and the media to clean up the illegal supply of rice. He said that about Rs. 12,800 crore is being spent to stop the illegal supply of ration rice. Minister warns against exporting ration rice under any circumstances and will take strict action against illegal traders
Bharat News Andhra Pradesh