3,540 kg of ration rice seized, saleswoman suspended in Ramanathapuram

Joint Registrar of Cooperatives Jeenu ordered suspension of a saleswoman of a fair price shop in Ramanathapuram on Thursday on the charge of smuggling rice intended for supply through public distribution system.

Following a complaint received by District Collector Sivaguru Prabakaran, District Supply Officer Palanikumar and team swung into action. The officials noticed some activities in a ration shop located at Karikootam near Ramanathapuram in the wee hours of Thursday. Suspecting that rice was being smuggled out through a truck, the officials surrounded the shop and seized the rice.

Interrogations revealed that the persons present there were about to smuggle 3,540 kilograms of rice to a neighbouring district as instructed by an agent. Subsequently, the police registered a case and the Joint Registrar of Cooperatives suspended the employee, identified as Sathiakavitha. Further investigation is on.