Hyderabad, Oct. 22 -- A surprise inspection at a private mill in Ibrahimpatnam, Hyderabad, revealed grains meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries were stored there.

Officials checked New Bansal Rice Industries in Ibrahimpatnam and seized 778 bags of rice weighing around 50 kg each and another 101 bags weighing 25 kg each. Another 51 bags were found inside a lorry allegedly used for transportation.

Mill owner Geetesh Bansal was arrested. He told officials he had purchased the rice from Bharati Industries in Mote village, Siddipet.

Laboratory tests confirmed that the seized rice contained fortified rice kernels (FRK) associated with the PDS. Officials are also probing whether the stock was diverted from the supply chain...