Truck with ‘illegally transported’ PDS rice seized in Nellore, two held

Officials reportedly detained two persons and seized 350 quintals of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice packed in 700 bags, valued at approximately ₹14.70 lakh, during a surprise check near Kagithalapuram Bypass at Manubolu mandal in SPSR Nellore district on Sunday.

Acting on credible information, a joint team of Civil Supplies, Revenue and Police Department officials inspected vehicles at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) Shakti Filling Station at Kagithalapuram Bypass.

The team saw a truck with registration number AP 26 TL 6359 parked in a corner and proceeded to inspect it. Upon inspection, authorities reportedly discovered the vehicle was illegally loaded with 350 quintals of PDS rice. The seized consignment of rice was valued at ₹14.70 lakh, while the vehicle used for transport was worth ₹8 lakh.

A case has been registered against the two accused at Manubolu police station under Section 318 (4) of the IPC and Section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. ASO C. Lakshminarayana Reddy, Manubolu Inspector M.S. Rakesh Yadav, and other officials participated in the inspection.

Police identified the accused as Ogireddy Sudhakar Reddy, PDS rice mediator from Nimmareddypalem village of Darsi mandal in Prakasam district, and Ambati Suresh, owner-cum-driver of the truck.

Speaking on the occasion, Joint Collector Mogli Venkateswarlu announced that strict action will be taken against those illegally transporting PDS goods meant for the poor and warned that those involved in such irregularities will not be ignored under any circumstances.