Ration Rice Illegally Stockpiled, Polished and Sold Under Brands; Gang Held

Thiruvananthapuram: A gang allegedly involved in collecting ration rice from Keralam and Tamil Nadu, polishing it, branding it and selling it at higher prices has been arrested. The group was allegedly procuring ration rice at low prices and reselling it after processing and repackaging it under branded labels.

During a raid at Karali in Parassala, officials seized 203 sacks of rice that had been illegally stored in a house. The Civil Supplies Department conducted the inspection based on confidential information received by the Parassala police.

The rice was recovered from a house rented by a native of Kaliakkavilai. No one was present at the house when the officials arrived. The group allegedly collected rice from ration shops at low prices and sold it at higher rates after polishing and repackaging it.

The rice was reportedly being marketed under brands such as Surekha and Sodex. The seized stock was subsequently shifted to a Civil Supplies Department warehouse.

The Food Safety Department had traditionally intensified inspections during festive periods, particularly around Onam, to prevent the illegal sale and manipulation of food products. However, the UDF government has reportedly stepped back from such stringent inspections.

Against this backdrop, there are indications that rice polished and repackaged under private brands in this manner may have been sold in Keralam during the Onam season