In a significant crackdown on the diversion of public distribution system (PDS) supplies, police and food department officials on Friday seized over 150 tonnes of rice meant for the state's flagship Anna Bhagya scheme. The operation uncovered a suspected black market network operating in Koppal district, Karnataka.
Raids and Seizures
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team from Munirabad police station and the food department raided an agricultural land near Kukanapalli village in Koppal taluk. The rice was illegally stocked in an open area, with more than 2,000 bags containing the grain. Preliminary investigations suggest that the rice, originally intended for beneficiaries of the Anna Bhagya scheme, was procured at low prices and was to be sold at higher rates in the black market.
Security Measures
Security was tightened at the site with the deployment of District Armed Reserve personnel. This was done to prevent any untoward incidents and to safeguard the seized stock. Senior police and food department officials visited the spot and reviewed the operation, ensuring that all procedures were followed correctly.
The seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to curb the illegal trade of subsidized food grains. The Anna Bhagya scheme is a key welfare program in Karnataka, providing rice at subsidized rates to eligible families. Diversion of such supplies not only undermines the scheme's objectives but also deprives the intended beneficiaries of their rightful entitlements.
Further investigations are underway to identify the individuals involved in this illegal stocking and to trace the broader network behind the black market operations. The authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
