THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister GR Anil directed the concerned officials to carry out extensive inspections in all the ration shops following the recurrence of the smuggling of rations from ration shops. There will be a police investigation into the incident of smuggling rice from Pachalloor in broad daylight. District Supply Officer Unnikrishnan said that the Taluk Supply Officer has been directed to hand over the case regarding the rice smuggling in Pachalloor to the police and action will be taken against all the culprits. The action was taken following a news report published by Kerala Kaumudi.

Kerala Kaumudi had yesterday reported that the police was not initiating an investigation regarding rice smuggling from ration shops in the state despite obtaining evidence. The minister has now thwarted the move by the officials to hide the scam as usual by conducting a departmental inquiry.

After stockpiling excess rice in the ration shop, it will be put in new sacks without the logo of the food department and then smuggled using private vehicles. The incident came to light a footage which showed rice being smuggled from a ration shop in Pachalloor in broad daylight surfaced. The case had not been handed over to the police to ensure that the investigation did not reach the officials. It is hoped that the police investigation will find out for whom, with whose help and to what extent the rice was smuggled.