Bengaluru, Oct. 9 -- Karnataka authorities have seized nearly 565 tonnes of subsidised rice meant for public distribution, worth Rs.1.34 crore, in a three-day statewide crackdown on an alleged network diverting Food Corporation of India (FCI) grain for illegal export to Africa through Chennai port, the state government said on Friday.

Six criminal cases were registered under the Essential Commodities Act, 1981, and nine people were booked. The crackdown also led to disciplinary action against two government officials accused of failing to act against an illegal PDS rice storage facility operated by Ravi Traders in Bastawad village in Belagavi district.

Apart from 5,64,992 kg of rice, the department of food, civil supplies and consumer a...