In a move to curb the growing menace of illegal rice smuggling, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan visited Kakinada Port on Friday, overseeing the seizure of a vessel involved in trafficking PDS (Public Distribution System) rice.
Pawan Kalyan, accompanied by State Food Civil Supplies Minister N. Manohar, visited the, “Stella EL” ship seized with ration rice at Kakinada Anchorage Port in a special boat to inspect the situation. It was caught by district authorities two days ago while en route to the African continent, carrying over 640 tonnes of illegally exported rice.
Seize the Ship – Exclusive Video
• Ever since I took charge as Deputy CM, no one has allowed me to come here.
• There is an entire ecosystem supporting smugglers in Kakinada Port.
• Stern action will be taken. I won't leave it. No one is above the Law, not even you Bosses! pic.twitter.com/xmWY6vZ9cw
— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) November 30, 2024
Later speaking to the media, Kalyan highlighted the growing infiltration of organised crime in the region. He emphasised how the mafia, accustomed to systemic crime, was not only smuggling rice but could also potentially facilitate the transportation of dangerous materials like explosives or terrorists through the port. “A smuggler won’t stop at just rice. They will also smuggle drugs and explosives. If officials are negligent due to political pressure, it will become a national security threat.”
“We cannot ignore the national security implications of these smuggling operations,” Kalyan said.
He further revealed that his attempts to personally inspect the vessel were blocked, even though other officials, including the Civil Supplies Minister and local MLAs, Kakinada Urban MLA, Vanamadi Kondababu, and chairman of civil supplies corporation, Thota Sudhir, were present during his visit.
Today it’s PDS rice smuggling and tomorrow it can be import of explosives or RDX. Will criminals stop with rice smuggling?
We have a precedent of Mumbai blasts and terrorist attacks.
And erstwhile East Godavari district has all key installations like ONGC and KG Basin; so, in the… pic.twitter.com/iWjqjAmTK5— Pawan Kalyan (@PawanKalyan) November 29, 2024
“Despite my position as Deputy Chief Minister, I was denied access to inspect the vessel,” Kalyan stated. “This demonstrates the power of the mafia behind these operations. If such an influential network can obstruct even a government official, one can only imagine the scale of the operations taking place under the radar.”
One of Kalyan’s primary concerns was the inadequate security at Kakinada Port. While the port sees over 1,000 trucks arrive daily, the security detail is disturbingly minimal, with only 16 personnel tasked with overseeing such a high-volume operation.
In response, Kalyan has vowed to take the issue directly to the Centre. “I will be writing to the Ministry of Home Affairs about the security lapses at Kakinada Port and demand immediate action. This is no longer just about rice smuggling; it’s a national security issue,” Kalyan said.
“We will not rest until the individuals behind these operations are brought to justice,” Kalyan asserted. “This is a battle not just for control of the port, but for the safety of our citizens and the security of our nation.”
Explaining the issue surrounding PDS rice, Pawan Kalyan said, “The government is spending Rs. 43.50 per kilo to provide rice to the poor, and this is being given to them for free. The ration vehicles introduced by the previous government were meant to allow beneficiaries to purchase rice, but this rice is being diverted into the hands of the rice mafia. Subsequently, large businessmen are sending it from ports to African countries, which is costing the government’s treasury heavily. The money spent on subsidising rice is ending up in the pockets of the mafia. These mafia members are selling the rice in African countries for Rs. 72 to Rs. 74 per kilo. Instead of this, if the Indian government were to export rice at Rs. 42 per kilo to African nations, India’s reputation and prestige on the global stage would grow immensely.”
