O Heraldo report on maggot-infested rice echoes in Assembly

PANJIM: The O Heraldo report on maggot-infested rice was “headlined” in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday with Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai raising concern and demanding action against the officers and suppliers, involved in supply of infested rice to the consumers.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Legislative Assembly, Sardesai produced O Heraldo newspaper dated August 2, 2023, and pointed to its lead story headlined “Will Goans continue to eat-maggot-filled rice as government lives in abject denial?” He said that the same issue was raised in the House by members a fortnight ago and the Civil Supplies Minister was not ready to act stating that inquiry was on.

There is fear and anxiety in the minds of the people of Goa regarding frequent supply of maggot-infested rice through the PDS, he said.

He called upon the Civil Supplies Minister to act against the officers and suppliers who are involved in supply of infested rice to the consumers.

Responding to the issue, Civil Supplies Minister Ravi Naik opined that “it could be an older incident”. He said, “The MLA is referring to old news wherein the government had already replaced infested rice bags found at some fair price shops in Salcete, Sanguem and Mormugao talukas reported in May this year.”

However, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured the members that the government will verify the facts even as the inquiry was on to find out the truth behind the infested rice supplied to fair price shops.

On July 25, during Question Hour, the Civil Supplies Minister had stated that an inquiry into the matter was currently underway, and that strict action will be initiated against those found guilty for the supply of infested rice.

Amidst this controversy, O Heraldo, at the forefront of investigating the maggot-filled rice cases, conducted its own inquiry into the situation. Shockingly, their findings confirmed the persistent presence of maggot-infested rice in the fair price shops supplied by the Civil Supplies Department. Several fair price shop owners reported receiving infested rice in May this year, and despite attempts to replace the infested rice bags, the department continued to supply the same rice to consumers.

The gravity of the situation has prompted concerns about the health and well-being of the people of Goa, raising questions about the efficiency of the Public Distribution System. Ongoing monitoring by O Heraldo aims to shed light on the authorities’ actions and the steps taken to address this distressing issue.

As the inquiry unfolds, Goa residents and fair price shop owners anxiously await the supply in August, hoping for cleaner and healthier rice to be distributed through the fair price shops.