Over 30 quintals of PDS rice seized in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur
Villagers intercepted a pickup van allegedly transporting rice meant for the public distribution system to the open market for sale.
Villagers in Jagatsinghpur intercepted a pickup van on Friday containing more than 30 quintals of rice intended for the public distribution system (PDS), according to The New Indian Express.
Marketing inspector of Jagatsinghpur municipality, Kabiraj Dharua, said officials seized 60 bags of rice, with each bag weighing 50 kg. He stated that a report has been sent to the collector and the Jagatsinghpur police station.
Dharua said civil supplies officials and police are verifying the stock and investigating the amount of rice allegedly diverted to the open market. He added that a detailed inquiry is underway to uncover the racket.
The civil supplies department had appointed Mahalaxmi SHG as the PDS dealer for ward no 2 of Badabag village, which has more than 2,000 ration cardholders. It is reported that the SHG gave the distribution responsibility to a former PDS dealer.
The former dealer allegedly supplied less rice to beneficiaries by reducing their monthly entitlements by one to two kg. The diverted rice was reportedly sold at higher prices in the local market through a trader.
Jagatsinghpur police station IIC Susant Kumar Sahoo said the police have seized the rice and the pickup van. He confirmed that an investigation is currently underway.