Sep 2, 2020
A letter by Consumer Affairs Ministry deputy commissioner Vishwajeet Haldar mentioned that “stocks are found to be unfit for human consumption and in the category of feed”
With the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, the centre and the state governments made tall promises of giving food grains to the poor for free. However, there was little or no information about the nutritional quality of those foodgrains which were to be given to poor. Now we have a query and centre seeks a responsible answer to the question of quality from Madhya Pradesh’s public distribution system (PDS). The ration stocked in warehouses in the tribal-dominated state of india, in Balaghat and Mandla districts is “suitable only for goats and sheep”, according to a letter from the Consumer Affairs Ministry.
A letter by Consumer Affairs Ministry deputy commissioner Vishwajeet Haldar mentioned that “stocks are found to be unfit for human consumption and in the category of feed”
“They had inspected depots of state agencies and fair-price shops in Balaghat and Mandla from July 30 to August 2 this year. It collected 32 samples – 31 from depots and one from a ration shop – which were analysed in NABL-accredited Central Grain Analysis Laboratory (CGAL), Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. Analysis found that all 32 samples were not just beyond the rejection limit, as per the uniform specifications issued by the ministry, but also beyond PFA standards as per FSSAI. Stocks are found to be unfit for human consumption and in the category of ‘feed’ – suitable for livestock such as goat, horse, sheep and poultry,” stressed Haldar in his letter.
In Motinagar at the tribal-dominated Balaghat, Basant, hand cart puller has a family of six members, confirms receiving the foodgrains for free from the government during the harsh time of lockdown. However, he and his family could not eat those foodgrains. “The quality of rice is poor. We bought rice from outside,” he said.
Sangeeta Banskaar, who lives in the district, said, “Even animals won’t eat this rice.” Another resident, Alka Bai, said, “We are not able to eat this rice. If the government is giving us ration, it should be at least edible, otherwise what’s the use? They should not make mockery of the poor by giving substandard rice.”
Consumer Affairs Ministry has accepted the pleas of the poor. “The stocks are 100 per cent recycled old stocks and the gunny bags used for storage are also at least two to three years old,” the letter said.
Madhya Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bishaulal Sahu said he is not aware of any such report. “If there is any such report, I’ll take strict action against the officials,” admitted Sahu.
Former Rural Development Minister Kamleshwar Patel said the state government should immediately compensate for hardships the people went through and take action against officials who may have been involved in feeding substandard food grain. “But they are busy in posing for the camera and doing drama in the name of meeting flood-affected people,” frowned Patel.
The state government has been asked to submit a quick and immediate report to the ministry and act against officials found guilty of negligence as soon as possible.