PDS rice worth `14 lakh seized

Chirala: The Prakasam district vigilance and enforcement department raided various rice mills in Chirala mandal and seized rice of the Public Distribution System (PDS) on Friday. The vigilance DSP, Supraja said the raids resulted in seizing about 360 quintals of paddy, 262 quintals of rice, 55 quintals of broken rice illegally stored in Srilakshmi rice mill in Eepurupalem of Chirala mandal. 

“We seized 14 empty bags of PDS rice and observed that they are recycling PDS rice by polishing it,” she said, estimating that the cost of the seized rice would be worth around Rs 14 lakh.

The DSP said that the rice mill has been booked for a similar crime earlier and the case was still in the hearing phase. She said that a fresh case would be lodged against the management of the mill and severe action will be taken for the same.