Latest news with #PublicDistributionSystem
The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
56 people detained under Goondas Act for PDS rice smuggling in Tamil Nadu, says IG
Inspector General of Police (IG) for Civil Supplies CID (CS-CID), Rubesh Kumar Meena, said that in the past five months, 56 people, who were arrested for Public Distribution System (PDS) rice smuggling, were detained under the provisions of the Goondas Act in the State. The IG inspected the CS-CID office at Keerambur in Namakkal district on Saturday. Later, Mr. Rubesh told reporters that to prevent crimes related to civil supplies, inspections were being carried out in four zones in the State. Already, inspections had been carried out in Tiruchi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Karur districts. In the past five months, 878 metric tonnes of PDS rice worth ₹1.06 crore were seized from smugglers. A total of 5,120 cases were registered and 4,608 people were arrested. From the offenders, 1,099 vehicles, including 434 four-wheelers, were seized. As PDS rice was smuggled across inter-State borders, monitoring increased in the border districts near Kerala and Karnataka. Stern action would be taken if PDS rice was used for feeding chickens in poultry farms, the IG warned.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Illegal ration rice trade rampant in Kurnool, CPI raise concerns
Pathikonda: Illegal transportation and black-marketing of ration rice have emerged as a serious concern in Pathikonda mandal of Kurnool district. Despite the government's well-intentioned efforts to ensure food security for the underprivileged through the Public Distribution System (PDS), a network of ration dealers and traders is reportedly diverting the subsidised rice for commercial gain. According to reliable sources, several ration dealers are indulging in manipulative practices including under-weighing and misreporting to create surplus stocks. Additionally, rice is being collected from some beneficiaries who sell their quota due to financial distress or lack of awareness. This rice is then supplied illegally to local rice mills and grocery stores, feeding a parallel black-market economy. As the nexus between ration dealers, traders, and millers grows stronger, genuine beneficiaries are left in the lurch. The State government has mandated that each beneficiary family should receive ration supplies for at least 15 days per month. However, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. In several villages of Pathikonda and Devanakonda mandals, residents report that they are either receiving reduced quantities or are being told that stock is unavailable. Local officials, especially in Devanakonda, are being accused of conducting superficial inspections and turning a blind eye to the malpractice. 'Their checks appear more like a formality than a serious attempt to enforce the law,' allege residents. Raising his voice against this growing menace, CPI District Committee Member M Narasa Rao has strongly condemned the failure of the local administration to curb the illegal trade. Speaking to the media, he said, 'It is deeply unfortunate that the rice intended for the poor is being diverted to the open market. The ration system was introduced to protect the food rights of economically weaker sections, but today it has become a profitable business for a few corrupt individuals.' He further added, 'We have received several complaints from people across villages in Pathikonda and Devanakonda mandals. They are either being denied their rightful ration or being pressured to sell it. This is a violation of their basic rights and an insult to the government's welfare policies.' 'Those found guilty, including dealers and traders involved in this illegal racket, must face strict legal consequences. The government should implement a robust monitoring mechanism and involve local communities and party representatives in vigilance efforts,' he emphasized. 'This rice is meant for your families. Selling it might give short-term money, but it only strengthens this illegal network and weakens the system meant to support you,' he appealed. With public outrage growing, the onus is now on the district authorities to restore faith in the ration distribution system and ensure that essential commodities reach the intended beneficiaries without leakage, corruption, or delay.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Vigilance officials seize illegal transportation of PDS Rice
Anantapur: Acting on the instructions of YBPTA Prasad, Regional Vigilance and Enforcement Officer of Anantapur, vigilance officials, in coordination with revenue officers, conducted a surprise vehicle inspection on Thursday near national highway at D Hirehal Mandal in Anantapur district. During the inspection, officials seized an Eicher vehicle illegally transporting 134.8 quintals (275 bags) of PDS (Public Distribution System) rice intended for smuggling into Karnataka. The vehicle and the seized rice were handed over to M Suresh Babu, In-charge CSDT at the Tahsildar Office, D Hirehal Mandal, for further legal action under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Following the investigation, a criminal case was registered at the D Hirehal Police Station against the accused Shafiq Ahmad – driver, resident of Tumkur, Karnataka; Javed – rice and vehicle owner, also from Tumkur; Dadapeer – rice trading partner from Bellary town. Officials involved in the operation included CI S Jamal Basha, AEE L Ravindranath, CSDT M Suresh Babu (I/c), supporting staff from the respective departments. Vigilance officials along with seized lorry and the accused in Anantapur on Thursday
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
DGP pitches for zero tolerance towards drugs under NDPS Act
Hyderabad: Highlighting the severe threat posed by narcotics, Telangana State Director General of Police Dr Jitender has called for zero tolerance towards drugs, particularly under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. During a comprehensive review of the law and order situation in Vikarabad district, as part of his ongoing district visits, he instructed intensified enforcement to eliminate ganja and other narcotic substances from the area. The DGP directed officers to place a special focus on border police stations to curb inter-district drug trafficking through regular raids. Dr Jitender stressed the need for proactive policing to prevent crimes before they occur and urged swift investigation and detection of theft cases across all police stations. He also directed stringent action against the illegal transportation and trade of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice, sand smuggling, gambling activities such as 'matka', and online gaming. Night time vehicle checks, he added, should be intensified. During the review meeting with district police officers, the DGP emphasised the importance of effective policing for crime prevention and public safety. He directed officers to expedite the disposal of long pending 'Under Investigation' (UI) cases and maintain close surveillance on habitual offenders. He instructed the opening of 'rowdy' and 'suspect' sheets, or the invocation of the Prevention of Detention (PD) Act, as warranted by individual criminal histories. Stressors on women and marginalised community safety, the DGP instructed immediate reporting and thorough investigation of crimes against women, POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases, and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) atrocity cases, with strict action against the accused.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Deadline for ration card holders to complete e-KYC extended till June 30
The deadline for the completion of mandatory Aadhaar-based biometric e-KYC has now been extended till June 30, in Mysuru district. According to the district administration, out of 23,00,380 ration card beneficiaries, 47,334 members are yet to complete the e-KYC process. Lists of such individuals have been displayed at their respective Fair Price Shops (FPS). To complete e-KYC, beneficiaries must visit the nearest FPS with documents such as ration card, Aadhaar card, LPG connection book and caste certificate. They should undergo biometric authentication at the shop. The administration has clarified that the entire process is free of cost. Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy has urged pending beneficiaries to complete the process promptly to avoid disruption in receiving benefits under the Public Distribution System.
