Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has urged the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to order a comprehensive investigation into the illegal PDS rice smuggling taking place through the Kinada port so as to take firm action against them.
During his two hour long meeting with the Chief Minister on Monday, Pawan Kalyan explained that the rice mafia has flourished in the state in the last five years and that this smuggling has also posed a threat to national security.
He brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that a large network is being set up from Chittoor to Srikakulam and crores of rupees are being looted from the public, and that the Kakinada Seaport management was threatened for Aurobindo and a 41.12 percent stake was taken.
He said that the export of rice worth Rs 48,537 crore from Kakinada port alone in the last three years is evidence of the extreme trend of the rice mafia.
He appealed to take tough decisions to crack down on the ration mafia. He said that no one was allowed to enter the Kakinada port in the last five years and that he faced difficulties during his visit also. He complained that some officials are still not doing well.
Pawan expressed apprehensions that rice is being exported to African countries and crores are being collected. He also mentioned that no other port in the state exported such a huge volume of rice exported from Kakinada, during the YCP regime.
Both the leaders also have reportedly discussed forthcoming Rajya Sabha bypolls for three vacant seats. Although many names are being circulated regarding the candidates, none of the alliance leaders have officially announced who they are fielding.
Will each party contest from the three seats? Will the TDP field a candidate in two places and the BJP in one place? It is yet to be officially announced. Pawan Kalyan has reportedly discussed the names proposed by Jana Sena for the fourth phase of nominated posts.