The Andhra Pradesh government has taken action to prevent the illegal export of rice, particularly subsidized Public Distribution System (PDS) rice. Authorities seized the ship “Stella L Panama” in Kakinada Port, which was loaded with 38,000 metric tonnes of rice, including 640 metric tonnes of PDS rice.
The decision to seize the ship came after Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan inspected the vessel and found discrepancies in the cargo. The government suspects a network of rice exporters involved in diverting PDS rice for export to African countries, where it is sold at significantly higher prices.
The incident has raised concerns about the integrity of the PDS system and the potential for corruption within the supply chain. The government has directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take necessary action against those responsible for the illegal export of subsidized rice. This seizure highlights the need for stricter monitoring and regulation of food grain exports to prevent diversion and ensure adequate supplies for domestic consumption.