Tamil Nadu Government Amplifies Efforts Against PDS Rice Smuggling

Synopsis

The Civil Supplies-Criminal Investigation Department (CS-CID) of Tamil Nadu has intensified measures against rice smuggling intended for the Public Distribution System (PDS) along the borders with Kerala. This includes enhanced surveillance at critical border points and increased vehicle inspections.

Key Takeaways

CS-CID enhances surveillance at 10 vulnerable border points.
451 cases of PDS rice smuggling recorded from May 2024 to February 2025.
Repeat offenders are being prosecuted under the Goonda Act.
Illegal use of subsidized LPG cylinders is also being monitored.
PDS rice is increasingly misused as poultry feed.

Chennai, March 20 (NationPress) The Civil Supplies-Criminal Investigation Department (CS-CID) has escalated its efforts to combat the smuggling of rice designated for the Public Distribution System (PDS) along the Tamil Nadu-Kerala borders.

Officials have pinpointed 10 border crossings as particularly susceptible to smuggling and have allocated extra personnel to enhance surveillance.

A senior police official noted that these border crossings provide straightforward access to Kerala, rendering them key routes for trafficking PDS rice from Tamil Nadu. Consequently, the CS-CID has ramped up vehicle inspections and monitoring at several locations, including Walayar, Velanthavalam, Semmanapathi, Naduppuni, Meenatchipuram, Gopalapuram, Veerappagoundanur, Vadakkukadu, Zamin Kaliyapuram, and Urulikkal.

Special task forces have been established at these checkpoints to discourage unlawful activities. Between May 2024 and February 2025, CS-CID teams documented approximately 451 cases of PDS rice smuggling.

In addition, authorities have been scrutinizing the unlawful distribution and utilization of subsidized Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders. Two cases were registered, leading to the seizure of two LPG cylinders. Furthermore, a suspect was apprehended for hoarding 15,200 liters of recycled oil and 6,400 liters of lube oil, both of which were confiscated. In total, 166 individuals linked to the smuggling and illegal trade of government-subsidized goods were arrested.

One repeat offender was detained under the Goonda Act for persistently smuggling PDS rice to Kerala. Three cases led to convictions, while non-bailable warrants were issued for eight suspects.

During the same five-month timeframe, authorities confiscated 10 kg of toor dal (pigeon peas) and 10 liters of palm oil, along with 73 vehicles—comprising 47 two-wheelers, four three-wheelers, and 22 four-wheelers. Additionally, 23 seized vehicles were auctioned, generating Rs 21.35 lakh in revenue.

Law enforcement officials have also observed a burgeoning trend of PDS rice being repurposed as poultry feed. Poultry farm operators illegally acquire raw ration rice, convert it into broken rice (kurunai), and utilize it as chicken feed.

Since authorities cannot pursue legal action once the rice is processed, smugglers exploit this loophole to avoid detection. Consequently, officials have intensified monitoring of poultry farms to thwart this type of illegal operation.

The CS-CID has reiterated its dedication to dismantling smuggling operations and ensuring that government-subsidized goods reach their rightful beneficiaries.