The Department of Civil Supplies seized approximately 1.7 tonnes of rice intended for distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS) from a van at Sethuvandai village near Katpadi in Vellore on Saturday.

Police said that based on orders of Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi, special teams comprising police personnel and Civil Supplies officials were formed to prevent PDS rice smuggling in the district. During a surprise check in Katpadi, Gudiyatham and surrounding villages, the team seized several bags of PDS rice from a vehicle driven by S. Babu, 35, a native of Sethuvandai village. The seized PDS rice was sent to a godown maintained by the Department in Katpadi. 

Police said that PDS rice is collected illegally from the public in various towns like Gudiyatham, Katpadi, Vellore, Ambur and surrounding villages to sell to wholesale dealers in Andhra Pradesh. The arrested person was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A case was registered by Gudiyatham Town police and further probe is under way.