Naidu govt forms SIT into PDS rice smuggling to foreign shores

Hyderabad: The N Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by senior IPS officer Vineet Brijlal to probe into the 'organised' smuggling of PDS rice meant for poor beneficiaries to other countries from Kakinada port.

Following the formation of the new government, police in Kakinada since June registered at least 13 cases of PDS rice smuggling. Recently, deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan visited Kakinada Port and inspected the port's operations.

A vigilance report that had formed the basis for the SIT pointed out that subsidized rice is either polished to enhance its appearance or rebranded with falsified labels to resemble premium export-quality rice, and the alterations enable the rice to fetch significantly higher prices in international markets, particularly in African countries where demand is high.

Exporters, often working in collusion with custom house agents (CHAs), falsify documentation to misrepresent the rice as non-subsidised varieties like "parboiled" or "broken" rice, concealing its origin.

The government has observed that the smuggling network operates with alarming efficiency, exploiting the very systems designed to ensure food security for the state's most vulnerable populations.

Therefore, the government decided to establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate and unravel the full extent of the malpractices, identify the key perpetrators, and ensure robust legal action against the concerned individuals. The ruling dispensation suspects that YSRCP leaders are behind the smuggling network.

Government had also received grievances from stakeholders, including beneficiaries, civil society groups, and public representatives regarding the organized smuggling of PDS rice to other countries illegally.

The vigilance department director general has said that investigation into the Public Distribution System (PDS) has revealed a deeply entrenched network of inefficiencies, corruption, and organized criminal activities and the most alarming revelation is the organized illegal export of subsidized rice, which has evolved into a sophisticated operation involving millers, exporters, and influential individuals with deep political connections.

“The Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh has informed that incidents of illegal export of PDS rice in Andhra Pradesh have sparked widespread concern and alarm across the state and those incidents highlight the urgent need for focused investigation to take stern legal action against all such culprits. While stating the above, the DGP, AP, has requested to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the following 13 cases of illegal export of PDS rice registered in Kakinada District,” said a G O issued by chief secretary, Neerabh Kumar Prasad on Friday.

SIT has been tasked to submit a fortnightly report of progress in the probe to the government.