Goondas Act on PDS rice smugglers: Minister

Chennai, Aug 2 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government will slap Goondas Act on those involved in smuggling rice and essential commodities meant for Public Distribution System (PDS), Food Minister E V Velu announced today.

Moving the demand for grants for his department, he said those who committed such horrendous acts, depriving the poor of their entitlement, would be dealt with sternly.

''They will be detained under the Goondas Act as is being done in the case of sand smugglers, since such acts belie the faith and trust imposed by the government in the PDS,'' he added.

Stating that 25,508 Metric Tonnes of rice and other essential commodities to the tune of Rs 400 lakh were seized from April to June this year, Mr Velu said 386 people, who had indulged in such anti-social acts, had been arrested .

He also announced the government would reward those providing information on diversion and smuggling of essential commodities meant for supply under the PDS.

The reward would be ten per cent of the total value of confiscated goods subject to a ceiling of Rs 25,000.

Flying squads would be made more effective to check smuggling and the government would provide 24 jeeps for them, he added.

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