Active steps to prevent smuggling of ration rice

Vigilance has been intensified to prevent rice smuggling in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Government is also working hard to increase the number of employees of the Investigation Department of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.

This action has been taken after widespread allegations that employees of the organization are involved in smuggling rice and other public distribution items to other states including Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
Employees helping rice smugglers are being suspended. It is also reported that most of the CCTV cameras of the Civil Supply Department are not working for the past several months.

The department is currently inviting tenders for maintenance of 2869 CCTV cameras in Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation godowns. Tamil Nadu Police has also decided to install CCTV cameras at border check posts to prevent rice smuggling across Tamil Nadu.CCTV cameras will be installed at check posts in Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Ranipet, Tiruvallur, Thenkasi and Pollachi, which share borders with Tamil Nadu's neighboring states, state police sources said.

According to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation report, 12,721 people have been arrested for rice smuggling from May 2021 to October 25, 2022. A total of 2607 vehicles were seized for smuggling rice and 128 people were arrested under the Gangster Act. 90,122 quintals of rice tried to be smuggled to neighboring states were seized at the checkpoints.

Even though cases have been filed against the smugglers of ration rice, which is an essential commodity used by the poor, the situation continues to be that it cannot be completely eradicated. Therefore, action should be intensified. If proper checks are done with CCTV at all the check posts, large amount of rice smuggling in vehicles can be prevented. It is commendable that the Tamil Nadu government is showing seriousness in the process.Commercialization of ration rice to satisfy the hunger of poor people should never be allowed!