The Tamil Nadu Government Ration Shop Workers Association claimed that the smuggling of ration products is impossible since the biometric authentication is in place.
Published Nov 20, 2024 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 20, 2024 | 4:07 PM
An official inspecting the rice in a ration shop in Tamil Nadu. (Supplied)
According to the Tamil Nadu government, the Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) in the state is affected by instances of misappropriation, with some ration shops reportedly smuggling items into the open market.
Free rice, subsidised kerosene, urad dal, toor dal, sugar, salt, and palm oil are being provided to the people by the department of food and consumer protection to alleviate hunger in Tamil Nadu.
Through the scheme, 7,03,35,953 beneficiaries are benefiting from 2,25,10,928 ration cards through 34,793 Ration shops established in 35,082 places across 39 districts of Tamil Nadu.
The state government said thousands of kilos of ration rice and pulses are being smuggled almost daily from the ration shops.
However, the Tamil Nadu Government Ration Shop Workers Association claimed that smuggling ration products is impossible since biometric authentication is in place.
A ration shop in Tamil Nadu. (Supplied)
The quantity of smuggled ration goods and the information of those arrested have been published in the policy note published in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on the grant request of the Department of Food and Consumer Protection.
According to the document, 4,567 cases were registered during the five months from January to May 2024. 12,930 quintal of ration rice worth ₹73,05,450 was confiscated along with 790 litres of kerosene. 4,791 people were arrested and 701 vehicles were seized in connection with smuggling.
From January to December 2023, 7,567 cases were registered in the. 29,068 quintal of ration rice worth ₹1,64,23,420 and 8,353 litres of kerosene were confiscated. During this period, 7,917 people were arrested and 1,685 vehicles were seized in connection with smuggling.
From January to December 2022, 9,325 cases were registered. 67,511 quintal of ration rice and 15,217 litres of kerosene were confiscated. It also involved the arrests of 9,242 people and the seizure of 2,040 vehicles.
Between 2019 and 2021, 10,810 cases were registered. The seized products included 92,114 quintal of ration rice and 36,671 litres of kerosene. 9,826 people were arrested and 2,105 vehicles were confiscated in connection with smuggling.
In this regard, Food and Consumer Protection Department Secretary J Radhakrishnan said, “Ration Shops provide quality products. A 500-member team, including four Superintendents of Police (SPs), headed by DGP Seema Aggarwal is on duty to prevent rice smuggling.”
In particular, measures have been taken to prevent rice smuggling in 13 districts bordering Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tiruvallur district.
“Non-bailable cases have been registered against those involved in food smuggling. However, appropriate action can be taken only if the public cooperates,” he said.
A toll-free number 1800-599-5950 and a WhatsApp number 9677736557 have been established for the general public to provide information on those involved in smuggling and hoarding of essential commodities such as ration rice, pulses, wheat, kerosene, palm oil etc.
P Dinesh Kumar, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government Ration Shop Workers Association said, “Nowadays rice smuggling from ration shops does not happen. No more than 50 to 100 kg of rice can go out in ration shops. After the introduction of the biometric system, smuggling or mass sale of ration products is impossible, he said.
Regarding the smuggling of ration rice, social activist Loganathan said, “In the run-up to the previous Assembly elections in the state, the DMK had said in its manifesto that they would provide all the items including rice in packages to ensure that the ration items are provided in the right quantity and quality.”
“However, even after coming to power, that promise has not been fulfilled. Packaged supply can prevent people from being underweight and selling into the counterfeit market. So the government should fulfil its promise immediately”, he said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
