'MK encouraging smuggling of ration rice'

CHENNAI: Condemning the state government’s lethargic attitude in checking the smuggling of ration articles, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa alleged that the DMK partymen were involved in it since the party came to power four years ago.

In a statement here on Wednesday, the opposition leader charged that by not taking action against the culprits despite several complaints, CM Karunanidhi was encouraging smuggling and hoarding of ration articles.

The AIADMK chief, pointing out to an accident which involved a passenger bus and lorry which killed 10 people and severely injuring 29 others near Thiruvannamalai earlier on Wednesday morning, alleged that the lorry was suspected to be carrying 20 tonnes of ration rice smuggled in urea bags. The passenger bus, proceeding from Cuddalore to Vellore, collided head on with the lorry, which was on its way to Andhra and 10 people were killed on the spot.

Jayalalithaa expressed her condolences to families of the victims.

The former CM said there were allegations that ration rice and other PDS articles were routed to an educational institution belonging to a state minister in the area. She added that the public may suspect the minister’s involvement in this incident also.

The AIADMK leader said there were already rumours that 40% of ration articles valued around Rs 1500 crores were smuggled by DMK party members.

She said the government has not taken any action to check the smuggling and appealed to the people of the state to give a fitting lesson to the DMK in the assembly elections.