483 metric tons of PDS rice found at Vizag port: Minister Nadendla Manohar; stock seized

Visakhapatnam: In another seizure regarding the diversion of rice intended for public distribution, minister for Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar found 483 metric tons of PDS rice reportedly ready for smuggling at a container terminal in Visakhapatnam Port.

The officials seized the stock and began investigating.

Recently, officials found 38,000 MT of rice, including 640 MT of rice meant for the Public Distribution System (PDS), during the inspection of the West-Africa-bound cargo ship Stella L Panama at Kakinada Port.

The inspections on Monday came in following the allegations that Vizag port has become a gateway for rice smuggling.

Speaking to the media, the minister said, “A total of 483 metric tons of PDS rice which was ready for export was seized by special teams at the container freight station. It has been found that Visakhapatnam port has been chosen for illegal exportin, due to increased surveillance in Kakinada port.”

According to the minister, 38 million metric tons of PDS rice in Kakinada port and 36,000 metric tons of PDS rice in Visakhapatnam were exported in three years during the YSRC regime. The estimated value of illegally diverted PDS rice is Rs 12,000 crores.

Preliminary investigation found that 70,000 metric tons of rice have been exported from Visakhapatnam Port in the last two months.

“Further inspections will also be conducted in Anakapalli. We will increase surveillance in all major ports. In other countries, many poor people are said to be using this rice illegally. Using different names, the PDS rice is being sent to other countries.”

It may be recalled that, a few weeks ago, on the instructions of deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, the officials seized the cargo ship in Kakinada. He 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.

A five-member team consisting of officials from the Customs, Anchorage Port, Police, Revenue and Civil Supplies has been also formed to investigate the alleged illegal PDS rice found in the cargo ship.