Over 6,000 kg of rice, wheat allegedly diverted from ration shops seized in Kerala

The Food and Civil Supplies Department on Sunday seized over 6,000 kg of rice and wheat from a house in Parassala, allegedly diverted from food stores in Kerala and Tamil Nadu for sale in the black market, officials said. Acting on a tip-off, officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, assisted by the police, searched a locked house in Karali, Parassala and recovered grain, allegedly meant for sale in the black market.

Officials said sacks used to repackage and sell rice and wheat on the black market were also recovered from the house, which was found full of grain sacks. A vehicle found on the premises was also impounded after officials discovered it had a fake registration number, they said.

Officials said rice distributed free through ration shops to economically weaker families in Kerala and Tamil Nadu was allegedly brought home, repackaged and sold on the black market at higher prices. The seized rice and wheat will be transferred to the government godown and auctioned as directed by the district collector, officials said.

In the last two weeks alone, raids conducted at various locations along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in Thiruvananthapuram district led to the seizure of more than 75,000 kg of rice, officials said. The Food and Civil Supplies Department will file a complaint with the police, based on which a case will be registered and further investigation will be conducted, officials said.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 21:18 IST