Illegal PDS rice exports from Kakinada Port: Increase surveillance of transport, Pawan Kalyan urges CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan alleged that illegal rice exports worth Rs 48,537 crores, amounting to over 1.3 crore MT (metric tonnes), were routed through Kakinada Port under the erstwhile YSRCP regime.

On Monday, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan met with Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to discuss the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) rice smuggling at Kakinada Port. He urged Naidu to increase surveillance at the Port.

Seizure of West-Africa-bound cargo ship

Recently, Pawan Kalyan, accompanied by Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar, inspected the Kakinada Deep Seaport and the government-owned Anchorage Port over the alleged illegal export of rice supplied through the PDS.

During the inspection, the West-Africa-bound cargo ship ‘Stella L Panama’ was found loaded with 38,000 metric tonnes of rice including 640 MT meant for PDS. Pawan Kalyan ordered a seizure of the ship and asked the officials not to allow it to leave the port.

Pawan Kalyan discussed with CM Naidu his inspections of the port and the rice smuggling happening there. He asked for tough decisions to curb the ration mafia. Pawan Kalyan explained how he was not allowed to enter the port in the last few months, and how the illegal smuggling was going unattended.

Smuggling PDS rice, an organized crime

The State government has classified the smuggling of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice intended for the beneficiaries as organized crime. Sources said, CM Naidu met DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and Intelligence DG Mahesh Chandra Laddha, and is planning to form a committee to investigate the issue

On Monday, a ministerial sub-committee was held with Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar, Minister K Achchennaidu, and Medical Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav at the State Secretariat.

The discussions focused on the smuggling of ration rice and operational issues at Kakinada Port. The officials have proposed to enhance security measures at the port, including the appointment of a Chief Security Officer.

Surveillance to increase at Kakinada port

“Considering the smuggling of ration rice as organized crime, strict action was ordered under the Public Distribution System (PDS) regulations. Surveillance of transportation activities in and around Kakinada Port will be intensified. Additionally, legal proceedings will be initiated against the ship Stella, which has been involved in exporting rice at Kakinada Anchorage Port,” said Minister Nadendla Manohar.

‘Green channels’ from Chittoor to Srikakulam

According to the minister, a network was formed stretching from Chittoor to Srikakulam to profit from illegal rice exports, which allegedly involved creating green channels to move the grains to the port. He claimed that rice was illegally exported to African countries, with no other port exporting as much rice as Kakinada Port.

The team also addressed the presence of Sartex machines in five warehouses within Kakinada Port. They questioned the Maritime Board and port authorities regarding the installation of these machines and instructed an investigation into the matter, with strict action to be taken against those found responsible.

Minister Nadendla Manohar accused the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government of bringing infamy to the port, in the Kakinada district, and turning it into a ‘smuggling den’. “In the past three fiscal years, Rs 48,537 crores worth of rice was exported from Kakinada Port alone, indicating the scale of the rice mafia. People need to understand this,” Manohar said speaking to the media earlier.

YSRCP responds to rice smuggling allegations

Reiterating that the fiasco at Kakinada Port has brought the inefficiency of the coalition government to the fore, former minister Ambati Rambabu said if the smuggling of PDS rice cannot be stopped it is the failure of the State.

Speaking to the media on Monday, he said that states like Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha send their stock through this anchor port as it is cost-effective. Thousands of families are dependent as there is a big workforce at the anchor port where Pawan Kalyan asked the officials to seize the ship.

“If rice is going out despite three check-posts of the Civil Supplies Department, who is to blame? The top exporter of rice in the State is the family of the State finance minister and his ship is anchored in the high seas half-loaded. If they have guts let them search the ship for PDS rice,” he challenged.