DVAC conducts checks at godowns

By K.T. Sangameswaran

CHENNAI, JUNE 15. In a swift action following the State Government's complaint regarding the quality of rice stocks left behind by the DMK regime, officials of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) conducted surprise checks at the Civil Supplies Corporation's (CSC) godowns.

The operations by the specialised unit of the police came in the wake of the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa's statement that Rs. 65 crores worth rice stocks with the CSC godowns were unfit for consumption. She faulted the DMK Government for not adopting proper storage measures resulting in the commodity getting spoilt. The rice became discoloured and infested with stored product pest.

She ordered an investigation by the DVAC into the functioning of the Civil Supplies Department with reference to the public distribution system (PDS).

Official sources told The Hindu that the complaint from the Government reached the investigating agency yesterday and the police swung into action and conducted checks at the godowns. The checks were organised at about 30 godowns in the State and the officials took samples of rice.

There were 312 godowns of the CSC in the State, nine of which were in the city, the sources said.

Only yesterday, did the Food Minister, Mr. P. Dhanapal, check paddy and rice stocks at the rice mills in the Thanjavur belt as they were the hulling agents for the Corporation.

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Section  : Southern States
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