Hyderabad: The TS government is preparing to crackdown on PDS rice smugglers by setting up an enforcement wing in the Civil Supplies department and by invoking the PD Act against the noted smugglers.
TS commissioner of Civil Supplies Mr C.V. Anand said, “There is no enforcement wing so far in the Civil Supplies department. Now we are starting an enforcement wing by inducting retired police officials.”
Vigilance and Enforcement Wing director Elusing Meru said, “We are writing to collectors to invoke the PD Act against known persons diverting PDS rice.”
Customs department joint-commissioner at Kakinada Mr S. Narasimha Reddy said, “PDS rice is not supposed to be exported. But it is difficult to detect. They polish the rice and change the package. The exporters give a declaration that it is freely procured rice. However, we will keep tab on it,”
Around two million tonne is being exported out of the port every year in the form of raw rice, boiled rice and broken rice. There are around 100 major rice exporters including 20 in Kakinada.
