Panaji: Two months after Crime Branch arrested five persons for alleged smuggling of wheat and rice from the State government’s godowns, State Civil Supplies Minister Ravi Naik told the House that they have not received any complaint in this regard.
The Crime Branch in November 2022 had arrested five persons for allegedly smuggling rice and wheat bags pilfered from the godowns of the Civil Supplies Department.
Responding to a question tabled during ongoing Assembly Session, Naik said that they have not initiated any inquiry as there was no complaint about the matter with the department.
The question was tabled by MLAs Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward Party), Carlose Ferreira (Congress) and Cruz Silva (AAP) during the ongoing Winter Session of the Assembly.
The question was asked whether the department has conducted any inquiry into the smuggling of wheat and rice meant for ration card holders.
Naik said that the question does not arise as this office has not received any report or complaint of smuggling of wheat and rice meant for ration card holders.
The minister said that the all godowns of the department need urgent repairs and renovation. He said that the certain additions like a proper office space needs to be created at these godowns.
Naik said that roofs of all godown need repairs while additional one is required at Dharbandora taluka.
