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

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