Cabinet sub-committee decides to strengthen security at Kakinada port

Vijayawada: The state govt has decided to categorize rice smuggling as an organised crime and take stringent measures to combat it, particularly at the Kakinada Port. A high-level meeting of the cabinet sub-committee, chaired by civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar, agriculture minister K Atchannaidu, and health minister Satya Kumar Yadav, was held at the state secretariat on Monday to address this issue. The discussion focused on the smuggling of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice and irregularities at Kakinada Port. The committee decided to strengthen the port's security systems, appointing a chief security officer for Kakinada port as a priority measure. Enhanced surveillance of transport activities at the port and surrounding areas was also approved.A significant decision was made to take legal action against the ship Stella, which was involved in exporting rice from the Kakinada anchorage port. Additionally, the committee discussed the installation of rice sortex machines in five warehouses within Kakinada port. The ministers raised concerns about how these machines were authorised for installation inside the port and demanded a thorough investigation into their setup.The Maritime Board and Kakinada Port authorities were instructed to conduct a detailed inquiry and take strict action against those found responsible for facilitating smuggling operations. Key officials, including the DG of vigilance and enforcement, the IG of law and order, civil supplies corporation MD, maritime board CEO, customs officials, and Kakinada port representatives, participated in the meeting.