Uproar over setting up of check post at Kakinada port

16-Aug-2024 05:47 PM

Vijayawada. The Andhra Pradesh government is trying to stop the diversion of PDS rice. It suspects that this rice is being diverted for export purposes and the real beneficiaries are deprived of it.

Keeping this in mind, it has set up a check post near the entrance of Kakinada port so that the stock of rice received by BPL families through ration shops under the Public Distribution System can be prevented from being exported. But this step of the government has created a huge uproar there.

Shipping companies are complaining about disruption in business due to this check post. They say that the work of transporters and loaders is being badly affected by this.

According to trade sources, the way in which the government is trying to stop the diversion of rice has increased the problem a lot.

Actually, the government was receiving complaints that the rice meant for distribution among the poor people in Andhra Pradesh is being sold to middlemen at cheap rates and then that stock reaches the exporters.

An exporter says that the government's effort to stop the diversion of rice is welcome but the way in which this effort is being made is not right because it has created the possibility of business coming to a standstill in the entire Kakinada city.

It is known that Kakinada port is an important medium for export shipment of rice. Exporters bring rice from other states including Andhra Pradesh and send it out of this port.

There are some other problems also present there. The stock of rice ready for export shipment is being seized without any reason.

Neither any concrete reason is given for this nor an FIR is lodged with the police. Due to a huge decrease in arrivals, the income of daily wage laborers is getting affected.

Due to the check post, there is a traffic jam in the city and it has become difficult for vehicles to pass through the road leading to the port.