Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Rice, wheat seized from illegal godown at Karamana

Special Correspondent

110 sacks of rice, 54 sacks of wheat seized

MAJOR HAUL: Officials of the District Monitoring Committee conducting a raid on a private godown, near Karamana, in the city on Thursday. — Photo: S. Gopakumar

Thiruvananthapuram: Officials of the District Monitoring Committee on Thursday raided an unauthorised godown at Karamana and seized 164 sacks of foodgrain.

The team led by District Supply Officer Syedkutty seized 110 sacks of rice, 54 sacks of wheat, new plastic sacks and restitching machines.

The sacks were found with Food Corporation of India markings, confirming a racket in diverting ration rice to the open market.

The operation was launched on the basis of directives issued by District Collector N. Ayyappan, who had received complaints about the illegal warehouse near Kunjalumoodu.

Electronic equipment

Mr. Syedkutty said there were widespread complaints about the outlet selling rice mixed with oil and red oxide to impart a rose colour. The team seized a collection of electronic and household equipment that was stored without proper records. The equipment was handed over to the Sales Tax Department.

Officials from the City Corporation, Legal Metrology and Civil Supplies departments, food inspectors, Taluk Supply Officers, city rationing officer and rationing inspectors from Thiruvananthapuram and Neyyattinkara participated in the operation. A police team was also present at the scene.

Mr. Syedkutty said further action would be taken against the owners of the warehouse under the provisions of the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Essential Commodities Act 1980.

The team conducted raids at four places at Neyyatinkara later in the day but failed to come up with evidence as the operators had shifted their goods and fled on hearing the news of the operation from television news channels.

The raids would continue in the days ahead to prevent blackmarketing during the run up to Onam, the officials said.

LPG cylinders

The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) detected illegal diversion of domestic cooking gas cylinders for commercial use at Nedumangadu area. The IOC is investigating a city-based gas agency owner on the charge that she had sold LPG cylinders outside her authorised area of supply and without proper records.

An IOC official identified the agency under investigation as `Mass Fuels,' Udarashiromani Road, and Vellayambalam. The team seized several domestic cooking gas cylinders from hotels and wedding halls at Nedumangadu.

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