Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan flags ‘security lapses’ at Kakinada-based ports, sees threat to national security

Vowing to dismantle the ‘deep-rooted network’ of illegal PDS rice exporters operating from these ports, Pawan Kalyan says he will take it up with the Home Ministry; the Cabinet will decide whether to initiate a CID or CBI probe into the illegal activities, he says

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on November 29, 2024 (Friday) said he would apprise Union Home Minister Amit Shah of the “security lapses” at the ports based in Kakinada as they posed a “major threat to the national security as well as key installations in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin.”

Mr. Pawan Kalyan, accompanied by Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Nadendla Manohar, inspected the Kakinada Deep Seaport and the government-owned Anchorage Port in the wake of alleged illegal export of rice supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

‘Haven for smugglers’

Later, addressing the media at the Deep Seaport, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “I am writing to the Home Ministry seeking its action on the lapses of security at the ports in Kakinada. The Kakinada coast has become a haven for smugglers. The export of ganja and import of drugs are allegedly being done through these ports.”

“Notwithstanding the pressure from public representatives, national security cannot be compromised at any cost. A deep-rooted network of 16 rice exporters is involved in the illegal export of PDS rice from Kakinada, and it will be dismantled soon. The illegal export will not stop with PDS rice alone. Who will be responsible if terrorists choose the Kakinada coast to enter our country?” said Mr. Pawan Kalyan.

Alleging that the existing ecosystem at the Anchorage Port was conducive to the rice smugglers, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “The Anchorage Port is manned by only 16 personnel. It receives 1,100 lorries laden with rice from across India on a daily basis.”

He further said that the alleged illegal export of PDS rice from the ports was in the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

“We are contemplating conducting a detailed probe either by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the illegal export of PDS rice and security lapses at these ports. The issue will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting to finalise the future course of action,” Mr. Pawan Kalyan said.

Directive to authorities

Expressing his ire at the “non-cooperation” of the A.P. Maritime authorities, the district police and other stakeholders for the inspection of the ports, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the Police and Civil Supplies departments to submit a report on the scale of trade, details of the managements of the Deepsea Port and rice exporters.

The management of the Aurobindo Group, which has a stake in the Deep Seaport, was directed to appear before the office of the Deputy Chief Minister.

Published - November 29, 2024 07:41 pm IST