What Crew Members Say About Stella-L

In a recent move to combat the illegal export of PDS (Public Distribution System) rice, local authorities have commenced the identification process of PDS rice among the 38,000 metric tonnes loaded onto the 'Stella L' at Kakinada Deep Water Port. This initiative follows a visit by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, prompting the state government to ramp up efforts aimed at preventing the smuggling of this essential commodity intended to support those in need. The 'Stella L' arrived at the port a week prior to Kalyan's visit, and on January 1, 2025, samples began to be collected from the rice bags to differentiate PDS rice from other varieties and identify potential culprits involved in its illegal trade. Officials from the Civil Supplies Department reported that the rice bags weigh 50 kg each, necessitating the collection of samples from 20 bags per tonne. With an estimated 8 lakh bags on board, this identification process is expected to be time-consuming. Modern technology holds promise for expediting the identification process, particularly since PDS rice is often blended with fortified rice in these shipments. Although no specific timeline has been provided for the sampling and testing phases or the duration of the vessel's stay at port, officials anticipate that the procedures might take around 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, ongoing loading operations for other export materials are being facilitated, ensuring that minimal disruptions occur for the vessel operator, despite the additional loading and unloading costs. Other export materials loading operations are expected to continue for approximately another ten days.

The bulk carrier 'Stella L', which was detained on November 27, 2023, for transporting rice intended for the Public Distribution System and allegedly being used for smuggling to West Africa, is scheduled to continue its voyage on January 4, 2025. The ship's seizure was highlighted during a visit to Kakinada Port by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister for Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar. This incident has exposed a significant scam that reportedly began during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) administration. New developments are emerging, suggesting that several former ministers and political figures may have played pivotal roles in these illicit rice smuggling operations.

On December 17, District Collector Shan Mohan Sagili announced that seizing the bulk carrier 'Stella L', which arrived from Haldia port on November 11 en route to Cotonou, faces significant procedural and legal challenges. Following an inspection by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on November 28, a 10-member multidisciplinary committee collected random samples from the ship's third hatch and submitted their report. The vessel had previously loaded 640 metric tonnes of PDS rice, which was released under bank guarantees. After visiting the port the next day, Pawan Kalyan instructed officials to move forward with the seizure of the ship. The Collector also noted that an identified stock of 1,320 metric tonnes of PDS rice on board would be downloaded, a process expected to take approximately 48 hours. This cargo is associated with Satyam Balajee Rice Industries, and inquiries regarding the acquisition process are ongoing. Meanwhile, loading operations for the remaining cargo on the ship will be addressed subsequently. At the anchorage, authorities seized a barge containing 1,054 metric tonnes of PDS rice after thorough inspections. This rice belongs to Lavana International and Sai Teja Exporters, with records for both companies currently under review. Additional investigations are being conducted on other involved companies. In relation to 13 pending cases regarding PDS rice, law enforcement has identified and inspected 137 rice mills over the past few days. Among these, 89 mills are located in Andhra Pradesh, while the rest span Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and other states. Authorities stated that further action will follow, and confirmed that shipping activities remain unaffected, with 12 ships currently awaiting the loading of various rice types at Kakinada port.