Vadrevu Srinivas

Kakinada: Customs commissioner S. Narasimha Reddy made it clear that their department has no role in verifying from where rice meant for export has been procured from. He maintained that customs enter the picture only after a commodity (including rice) enters in the customs notified area within the Anchorage Port (JJ Ghatty) in Kakinada.

The commissioner underlined that they only verify whether the rice brought for export is as per the description declared in the shipping bill, invoice, packing list and contract copy. Once these aspects are verified, they grant permission for loading rice onto the barges for loading into the export vessels.

Narasimha Reddy, however, clarified that the customs department is duty-bound to extend its unconditional and complete support to the state government in curbing any menace, including diversion of goods meant for public distribution.

Significantly, the commissioner convened a meeting with exporters and representatives of shipping trade here on Tuesday. He maintained that the department has not received any instructions from the state government on matters of cargo handling.

Narasimha Reddy said at the meeting, he heard the opinions and grievances of the shipping trade.

At the meeting, the Rice Exporters Association informed the commissioner that they are law-abiding and do not support diversion of PDS rice for export. The association said they are open to work with enforcement agencies to contain such exports, if any.

Incidentally, the Kakinada district collector has informed that an integrated check post has become operational at the Kakinada Anchorage Port from August 5. It works round the clock. Exporters of rice will have to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the AP State Civil Supplies Department. Port’s security personnel will allow vehicles into the port premises only on producing the NoC issued by the civil supplies department

Published Date: December 4, 2024