The Madras High Court on Monday called for details from the State government on the gravity of the recurring offence of smuggling rice meant for the public distribution system (PDS) and the positive action taken by the government in the last 10 years to arrest the trend.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and P. Rajamanickam wanted to know the number of PDS rice smuggling cases registered.
Last decade
They also sought details regarding the volume of rice seized from the smugglers and the quantum of loss caused to the exchequer due to such smuggling activities in the last 10 years. They directed an Additional Public Prosecutor to submit by October 22, the year-wise details of the information sought by them.
The direction was issued while hearing a habeas corpus plea challenging the detention of an individual under the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act of 1980.
