Srinagar, Dec 16: In what points to some grave irregularities in the public distribution system, the police Thursday raided a private godown in Moominabad Batamaloo here and seized hundreds of quintals of
rice, flour and sugar meant for public ration.
 The godown was also used as a re-filling centre where the illegally transported essential commodities were packed in fake branded bags and sold at higher rates, police said. “The rice, sugar, flour and other essential commodities have come from the stores of CAPD. The commodities have been supplied by FCI to the department,” SP south, Muhammad Irshad, said during a press briefing.
 “We believe it is a nexus between CAPD, FCI, transporters and businessmen. The investigations are on to reach and expose the main culprits,” he said.
 Commenting over the modus operandi of the crime, the SP said the public ration was first transported to the huge godown where from it was black marketed and also refilled in branded sacks.
 “The rice was filled in Double APPLE branded sacks. While sugar was filled in 5 Star brand sack and flour in RFM Maida,” Irshad said. “Later the commodities were sold on high market rates.”
 Speaking about the expose, the police said at around 12 PM they raided the house of one Muhammad Afzal Dar, who is a businessman and deals with general stores. Dar is still at large. The police official said Dar along with his other associates has already been incriminated in many cases of embezzlement and illegal supplying of public ration. Their cases are pending in various police stations.
  “We have so far arrested one person.” The police termed it a multi-crore scam and said many “big fish” are expected to fall in the net in the coming days. “We have seized the godown and it’s expected that it would take two to three days for us to clear the stored items.”
 The police recovered 1000 quintals of rice, 300 bags of sugar and 500 bags of flour from the godown. Police has also recovered stitching machines, weighing machines and 1000 empty bags from the spot. In this connection case FIR No. 265/2010 under Section 409, 460, 120-B has been registered in police station Sadder.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 IST