CPI for CBI probe in rice smuggling issue

Puducherry, Nov 19(UNI) The Puducherry unit of the Communist Party of India today urged the administration to order a CBI probe into the smuggling of ration rice through the union terrilory.

Talking to mediapersons here today, CPI State Secretary Na Ra Kalainathan said the smuggling of rice was a burning issue here for the last two months and the administration had seized the rice and arrested a few people in this connection.

However, the administration was yet to come out with details in the case and the police were making efforts to hush up the case, he alleged.

Mr Kalainathan said the police should investigate and find out the quantum of rice received by the FCI godown here, the place from where it was received and the destination to which the rice was despatched, The Chief Minister should also take efforts to give a clear report to the public on the issue, he added.

The CPI leader demanded that the funds under the Special Component Plan(SCP) meant for the welfare of the Adi Dravidar people here should be utilised. The CPI had already announced its position on the issue and there was no change in its stance, he added.

He said a Committee comprising legislators and political party leaders should be constituted to utilise the funds.

Pointing out that all the Chief Ministers right from the inception of the scheme for the Dalits had diverted the funds to other departments.

Mr Kalainathan alleged that the present hue and cry in the issue was politically motivated.

Referring to the issue in the central prison here, Mr Kalainathan said the Government should order an inquiry into the present allegation of the prisoners that the officials had demanded Rs 3000 to consider their parole and the report of the inquiry along with the one into the death of three prisoners be made public.

He alleged that the details into the death of the three prisoners in 2005 consuming posionous liquor was covered up.

UNI