Vigilance seizes foodgrains worth Rs 145 crore in AP

Foodgrains worth Rs 145 crore has been seized by the Vigilance and Enforcement Department officials who are conducting raids on godowns spread across Andhra Pradesh following allegations of diversion of PDS rice and other commodities.
A special drive, begun on April 3 to inspect Mandal Level Stock (MLS) points and Fair Price Shops (FPS) by the officials in various districts led to seizure of large quantity of various commodities and cases were also registered.
"The department had also been receiving complaints about diversion of PDS rice and other commodities from godowns to various rice mills meant for MLS points," Director General (Vigilance and Enforcement) Department R P Thakur said.

In continuation of the special drive and also in view of complaints, Vigilance and Enforcement Department officials inspected godowns yesterday in 20 districts -- Chittoor, Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Kurnool, Nellore, Anantapur, Nalgonda, East and West Godavari, Kadapa, Guntur, Karimnagar, Prakasam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, Krishna, Medak besides Hyderabad City, Thakur said.
Transport contractors play important role in the diversion of PDS rice and other commodities while transporting them from such godowns to MLS points, he said, adding during the special drive 138 godowns were inspected and 55 cases were booked under relevant sections of Essential Commodities Act.
On account of irregularities, the department officials seized commodities from godowns including Red gram (8655.1 quintal), Bengal gram (437854 quintals) and other commodities (160680), he said. The special drive is continuing.