TN: Alleged seizure of rice condemned

Puducherry, Aug 26: Taking strong exception to the alleged seizure of 134 bags of double boiled rice, sent to Kerala, by the Kallakuruchi Tahasildar ''under the guise of Tamil Nadu ration rice,'' the Puducherry Modern Rice Mill Owners Associations on tuesday, Aug 26 threatened to go on an indefinite strike if steps were not taken to release the rice.

Addressing a press conference here, Association President R Sivaraj alleged that for the past 50 years, double boiled rice had been sold to Kerala and the rice sent on August 8 was seized by the Kallakuruchi Tahasildar after ''getting it certified as Tamil Nadu ration rice,'' violating all laws.

All double boiled rice could not be Tamil Nadu ration rice. The Villuppuram Collector had ''failed'' to initiate action on a complaint lodged by the association in this regard, forcing the association to move the Madras High Court.

The Tamil Nadu government had no powers to initiate action on a Puducherry Sales Bill. The certification of all double boiled rice as Tamil Nadu ration rice was ''injustice,'' he added.

There was no difference between private parties waylaying trucks and taking away the rice and the seizure by the Tamil Nadu government. Representations would be made to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and his Puducherry counterpart to ensure the release of the rice.

The Association would refrain from procuring paddy from the cooperative marketing society here for two days from tomorrow to condemn the Tamil Nadu government's action.

UNI