Kakinada: Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has condemned the illegal activities taking place at Kakinada port, calling it a “smuggling hub.” During an inspection, Pawan Kalyan personally oversaw the seizure of 640 tonnes of Public Distribution System (PDS) rice being smuggled from the port. Speaking to the media, he emphasized that his government remains committed to ending such illegal practices.
The Deputy CM reiterated past promises to eliminate smuggling from Kakinada port, stating that local MLA Kondababu had raised concerns about these activities. “Our government is not about revenge, but we will not sit idly by when illegal activities occur,” he said. Pawan Kalyan highlighted recent inspections by Minister Nadendla Manohar, which led to the seizure of 51,000 tonnes of ration rice.
With 1,100 lorries arriving at Kakinada port daily, Pawan Kalyan emphasized that the port, though crucial, operates with limited security, with only 16 personnel in charge. He vowed to dismantle the entire smuggling network and ensure that ration rice reaches only the poor. He further revealed that some traders were making illegal profits by selling rice abroad for Rs. 73 per kilo, while it costs just Rs. 43 in India.
The Deputy CM also announced plans to increase security at the port, including writing to the Union Home Minister to address security lapses.
