PDS rice seized during recent raid at Kakinada Anchorage Port; rice released from seizure based on bank guarantee given by the exporter.

T. Appala Naidu

A whopping 640 metric tonnes of rice, supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS), which was recently seized by the Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, is being allowed to be exported to West Africa from Kakinada Anchorage Port upon the bank guarantee given by the exporter. 

On being alerted about the alleged illegal export of PDS rice on Wednesday, Kakinada District Collector Sagili Shan Mohan and other officials conducted a raid on the export activities at the Kakinada Anchorage Port.

“At least 640 metric tonnes of rice loaded in a private ship, destined to West Africa, was found to be supplied through the PDS. The same rice was recently seized at the Anchorage Port. However, the seized rice has been released based on the bank guarantee given by the exporter. Its export is now official,” Mr. Shan Mohan told The Hindu.

The officials inspected 38,000 metric tonnes of rice loaded into the ship at the port. “We have deployed a robust mechanism to put an end to export of the PDS rice,” said Mr. Shan Mohan.

Published Date: November 27, 2024