Civil supplies officials seize 71 tonnes of PDS rice near Katpadi
A team led by the Vellore Supply Officer intercepted two lorries carrying 1,420 bags of rice near Melpadi village on Sunday.
Civil supplies officials seized approximately 71 tonnes of rice meant for the Public Distribution System (PDS) from two lorries near Katpadi in Vellore on Sunday, according to The Hindu.
The seizure occurred near a bridge at Melpadi village on the Ponnai–Tiruvalam High Road during a surprise check by a six-member team.
The team, formed following orders from Collector P.S. Leela Alex to prevent PDS rice smuggling, stopped the vehicles after the drivers provided contradictory answers regarding their consignment.
Police identified the drivers as D. Ramachandran, 52, of Walajah, and S. Thangamani, 48, of Kalavai, both from Ranipet.
Investigations revealed the rice was being transported from a private mill in Bangarapet, near Bengaluru, to Chennai Port for shipment.
Police stated that such PDS rice is collected from villages in Bengaluru and Hosur and polished for export as high variety rice.
A case has been registered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Tamil Nadu Scheduled Commodities Order, 1982, as investigations continue.