Tamil Nadu - Udhagamandalam

One arrested for smuggling rice meant for PDS

Udhagamandalam: One person has been arrested in connection with a case relating to smuggling of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice at Kotagiri.

According to the police, during a routine check of vehicles at Aravenu a lorry proceeding from Gottacombai was found to be transporting a large quantity of ration rice. The driver Manickam (32) was arrested and the lorry with the rice was seized and taken to the civil supplies godown.

Official sources said that since the rice was part of the food for work scheme, the Block Development Officer concerned was informed of the smuggling.

Stating that a vigil was being maintained at various outlets of the PDS, the official said that if anyone took more than 24 kg of rice from the fair price shops the public could lodge a complaint with the authorities concerned. The names of people providing information regarding smuggling of ration rice, kerosene etc will not be revealed and they will be given a reward of Rs.500.

Coimbatore District Collector V. Palanikumar has ordered the detention of N. Avanashiappan (48) of Perumanallur under the Goondas Act for involving in cases of bootlegging.

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