150 tonnes of PDS rice seized in Koppal

Pic: Police and Food Department officials on Friday seized over 150 tonnes of Anna Bhagya scheme rice stocked illegally in an agricultural field near Kukanapalli village in Koppal talukKoppal: In a crackdown on diversion of public distribution system (PDS) supplies, police and food department officials seized over 150 tonnes of rice meant for the state's flagship Anna Bhagya scheme, uncovering a suspected black market network in the district on Friday. 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, where the rice was illegally stocked — more than 2,000 bags were stored in an open area. Preliminary investigation suggests that the rice, meant for beneficiaries, was procured at low prices and intended to be sold at higher rates in the black market. Security was tightened at the site with deployment of District Armed Reserve personnel to prevent any untoward incidents and to safeguard the seized stock. Senior police and food department officials visited the spot and reviewed the operation.