Andhra Pradesh

Diversions mar Rs. 2-a-kg rice scheme in Andhra Pradesh

HYDERABAD: Concerned over a spate of instances of diversion of rice from the public distribution system into the black market, Civil Supplies Commissioner Poonam Malakondaiah asked all district Collectors to crack down on illicit sale of rice.

She has also ordered suspension of licences of fair price shop dealers for selling PDS rice at any rate other than what was prescribed by the government and even for abetting free distribution by politicians out to gain mileage from the Rs. 2-a-kilo rice scheme in this election year.

In an ‘urgent’ circular to all Collectors on Thursday, she asked them to seize vehicles illegally transporting PDS rice and book cases under the Essential Commodities Act as well as the Motor Vehicles Act.

As for errant fair price shop dealers, she wanted criminal cases also to be booked against them.

Preventing the diversion of PDS rice into the black market has now become a major source of anxiety for the Congress government, a day after it re-launched the scheme with much fanfare.

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