Belagavi, 1 May 

Authorities from the Department of Food and Civil Supplies seized 40 tonnes of rice intended for public distribution under the Karnataka government’s Annabhagya scheme in Vijayapura late Tuesday night.

Vijayapura district manager, Amaresh Tandur, confirmed on Thursday that the department’s enforcement squad, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a lorry on National Highway 50 on the outskirts of Vijayapura. The rice was confirmed to be meant for ration card holders under the state-run Anna Bhagya scheme. Upon interception, the driver and conductor fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle. The seized lorry has since been handed over to Jalanagar Police.

The rice, originating from a government godown in Bagalkot, was being illegally transported in a Tamil Nadu-registered lorry to Maharashtra via Vijayapura. The consignment was intended for ration card holders in Bagalkot, Koppal, Davangere, Shivamogga, and Sagar.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, civil supplies officials told Salar News that large quantities of foodgrains meant for public distribution are being smuggled daily to neighbouring states, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, from Vijayapura and Belagavi. In addition to rice, sugar and cooking oil are frequently trafficked due to higher commodity prices across state borders.