Rice meant for public distribution seized

BENGALURU: Two truck-loads of nearly 50 tonnes of rice worth Rs 10 lakh meant to be distributed among poor for Re1 per kg were seized when they were being transported to private rice mills from government owned godowns run by Food and Civil Supplies Corporation were seized near Hoskote in Bengaluru rural district in a joint operation on Tuesday night.
The operation was conducted by central crime ranch of city police and Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation officials jointly while the rice were being transported from two godowns owned by the Corporation in Vijinapura and KR Puram around 8 pm on Tuesday. Three persons including the kingpin of the racket and two drivers, were arrested in this connection.
Police claimed that they suspect some officials and private rice mill owners behind the racket. “The rice meant for public distribution among the poor by the state government. This racket thrives on diverting this rice to private rice mills, where the rice is processed and sold afterwards for higher price. The rice will be made available in private shops in various places of the state. This is only a tip of the ice berg and we expected more details after a thorough questioning of the trio,” said an officer.