Assam: Police seize huge quantity of PDS rice stored illegally

Guwahati 9th May:

On 7th May, based on secret information with the directorate regarding the illegal stocking of PDS rice in Barpeta, a team from The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption in a joint operation with Barpeta police conducted a raid in Kahibari area under Barpeta PS. They recovered one truck laden with 70 bags of suspected PDS rice in front of the godown of one Sri Jayanta Das. The intent was to sale in the open market

During the search of the godown, 61 empty gunny bags having marks of Govt of Punjab and Haryana, used for packing PDS rice have been recovered and seized along with 3 bag closure machines. One Discover M/cycle bearing and One Honda Scooty were also recovered and seized.

Safiqul Hussain of Palaji is reported to be the business partner of Sri Jayanta Das. Their houses have been searched today but both are found absconding.

On 8th May, acting on follow-up information, another search was conducted in a godown of Md. Shahjahan Ali situated in the Kahibari area and opposite to the godown searched the day before. On inquiry, he stated that three rooms of the godown have been rented out to said Jayanta Das about 1 and a half months back.

The locks of the godown were broken open in presence of CO, Barpeta Sri Nabajit Pathak, local Gaon Burha, and others.

1st room contained 430 bags of suspected PDS rice, 2nd room contained 3360 nos of empty gunny bags carrying govt marks, one bag closure machine and an electronic weighing scale, and 3rd room contained 410 bags of suspected PDS rice.

Samples of seized rice have been taken by Supply Inspector for examination. Further investigation in the matter is going on. A case is being registered at Barpeta police station in this regard.

This bust comes at a time when the region is facing the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic, which has increased the dependency on India's PDS.

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