UDUPI: Officials seized over 58 quintals of rice meant for the govt’s Anna Bhagya scheme from a godown in Ajekar on Wednesday. In a complaint, Sumathi, Food Inspector of Karkala Taluk, stated that Manjunath allegedly procured rice meant for the govt’s Anna Bhagya scheme from the public and was illegally storing it. Acting on the complaint, Ajekar Police Station PSI Shubhakara and his team conducted a raid at a godown located to the right of Manoj Traders, near Ram Mandir on Ajekar Main Road in Marne village.During the raid, they found rice stored in 151 plastic bags and 14 gunny sacks. Upon inspection, the seized rice was confirmed to be 58 quintals and 40 kilograms from the govt’s Anna Bhagya scheme. The rice, estimated to be worth Rs 1.34 lakh, was taken into custody.At the time of the raid, the accused Manjunath fled the scene. It is alleged that he purchased the subsidised govt rice from the public at lower prices with the intent to resell it illegally. A case was registered at the Ajekar Police Station under Sections 3, 6, and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act.
