(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) SRINAGAR — Police Tuesday seized 15 quintals of subsidized rice from an load carrier near Maisuma Bund here, a day after authorities ordered a probe following the seizure of a huge quantity of rice meant for public distribution from a residential house in the city's Kral Khud area.
A police spokesperson in a statement said, 'Acting on specific information about the misappropriation of rice meant for distribution to the public, Srinagar police seized 15 quintals of subsidized rice from an Auto Load Carrier near Maisuma Bund.'
'Officers investigating the case have arrested a shopkeeper Mudasir Ahmad Rah, who was rebranding the rice at Nai Sarak Kralkhud and the auto driver Sami
lah Tharno. Both remain in police custody,' he said. 'Auto Load Carrier used in the commission of offence has been also seized,' he added.
'Officers investigating the case learnt that this subsidized rice was being misappropriated by the shopkeeper in connivance with the auto driver. The rice was being repackaged into new bags bearing names of popular brands and then sold in the market at a higher price,' said the spokesman.
'In this connection, a case FIR No. 15/2019 under relevant sections of law has already been registered in Police Station Maisuma and investigation is going on,' said police spokesman in a statement.
Authorities had on Sunday raided a residential house at Kralkhud and recovered a huge quantity of subsidized rice meant for sale at government fair price stores.
The rice was repackaged into bags of popular rice brands, an official spokesperson said.
Erring traders fined Rs 18,700
The Enforcement Squad of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS & CA) along with Legal Metrology Department and concerned Tehsildars today conducted joint checking drive of various areas of Srinagar City including Noor Bagh, Baghwanpora, Chanapora, Lal Nagar, Baghi Mehtab, Lachmanpora, Bazar Batamallo.
'During the market checking 255 business establishments were inspected and a penal sum of Rs 18,700 was collected as fine from 63 erring shopkeepers for violation of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955,' an official spokesperson said.
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