CHENNAI: Following stringent action, the Civil Supplies-CID arrested 174 persons for smuggling rice kept for Public Distribution System (PDS) and seized 4,813 quintals of rice and 54 vehicles used for smuggling, in one week, from September 5 to September 11.

In a press note, released by the State government, it was stated that the total value of the seized rice amounts to Rs 27.21 lakh. Action against the smugglers and seizure is taken under Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980.

Officials of Civil Supplies department also said that action under Goondas Act is recommended against repeated offenders and the process is under way.

Officials also said that the porous borders of Tamil Nadu leading into Andhra Pradesh are arrested by deploying more sleuths attached to Civil Supplies-CID resulting in more arrests and seizures.

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