Bantwal: Mangaluru Food and Supply Department officials raided a shop near Punjalakatte and seized illegally stored Anna bhagya rice and wheat, here on Thursday. The raid was carried out following a complaint that free nutritious food meant for pregnant women in an Anganavadi was sold to this shop.
Mangaluru Food and Supply Department Assistant Director, M R Bhat and team immediately raided Gopalakrishna Traders shop in Punjalakatte and seized 3 packets of nutritious food meant for pregnant women- 24kg of Anna Bhagya rice and 25kg of wheat.
On Wednesday, when a local asked for a wheat packet in the shop, was given a free packet of wheat given by the government. It had the logo of Vamadapadav Women Nutricious food preparing unit. During the raid, he told the food officials about it. However, the owner denied it.
At the same time, Bantwal women and child welfare department officers visited the local Anganavadi and inspected documents of the nutritious food. “There has been no mistake from the department”, said Infant welfare officer Mallika to the media.
It is suspected that the seized rice and wheat must have been sold by some beneficiary to the shop. A case has been registered against the shop owner Vivek Pai. Bantwal Taluk food inspector Shrinivas and Vasu Shetty were also present during the raid.
