Rs 48,537 crore Rice smuggled from Kakinada port alone in last three years: Minister Manohar

Andhra Pradesh Government Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar has said that large-scale of rice smuggled through Andhra Pradesh's ports, claiming that an astonishing 1.3 crore metric tons of rice, valued at approximately Rs 48,537 crore, were exported from Kakinada Port alone. Speaking to the media in Vijayawadaon Sunday, the minister detailed irregularities in the distribution and export of ration rice and linked these activities to security threats and systemic corruption during the previous YSRCP government. The minister said that Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's recent visit to Kakinada Port unearthed crucial evidence of smuggling networks.

 

He alleged that ration rice, provided to the public at a subsidy of Rs 12,800 crore, was being procured illegally at meager rates and smuggled out of the country. Inspections in Kakinada reportedly uncovered discrepancies in weights, leading to the seizure of 51,427 metric tons of rice. Cases were filed against 13 companies, but court orders allowed the rice to be released after the companies paid the prescribed amounts. Manohar accused former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of enabling these irregularities by centralizing control over Kakinada Port and purchasing 969 vehicles for door-to-door delivery of ration rice at a cost of Rs 16,000 crore. He alleged that this delivery network was manipulated to facilitate smuggling, turning Kakinada into a hub of illegal activities, including the export of rice and potentially dangerous contraband. The minister further alleged that the previous administration ignored these issues, questioning whether Jagan's government was complicit or simply incompetent.

 

 

He criticized YSRCP leaders for their silence on the matter and accused them of threatening Aurobindo Pharma to relinquish control of the port, creating an atmosphere conducive to corruption and smuggling. Highlighting the severity of the issue, Manohar claimed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rs 6,300 crore worth of ration rice was smuggled using manipulated systems and authorities. He expressed determination to dismantle the so-called "ration mafia" and eliminate middlemen who exploit government schemes.

 

Manohar also emphasized the support of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan in tackling these irregularities. He assured that the coalition government is committed to eradicating corruption in the civil supplies system and protecting the resources meant for the State's poor.