Team Herald
MARGAO: It is sad to note that the Fair Price Shop (FPS) owners in Goa, who have been left with no other option, have been compelled to stock and distribute the rice infested with maggots and fungus to the ration cardholders. Besides the incriminating evidence, the government has developed “cold feet” by not initiating an inquiry into the matter.
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Many FPS owners opine that by now the government should have fixed the responsibilities.
Shockingly, government officials have been dragging their feet to fix responsibilities with regards to the tonnes of foodgrains infested with maggots and fungus.
However, on Friday, a team of the Food and Drugs Administration inspected the godown at Cortalim, besides a few fair price shops in Mormugao and Salcete taluka.
On the other hand, taking serious note of the issue, a few politicians and leaders have demanded that an inquiry be conducted into the matter seeking accountability from those involved, but, the Civil Supplies Department officials feel the issue is not that serious.
It is pertinent to note that for the last few days the issue of maggot-infested rice has shaken the entire State. The Fair Price Shops Association expressed frustration and said that the infested rice is not fit to feed even animals.
Now, several FPS owners continue to store the infested rice at their shops and distribute the same to cardholders. What is more shocking is that several citizens, who are totally dependent on the foodgrains distributed at the FPS, are forced to take away their quota.
Gopal Parsekar, Director of Civil Supplies said they are willing to replace the infested rice, besides giving transport charges to those FPS owners, who have received the infested foodgrains.
“We have asked the FPS owners to replace the infested rice immediately. The Department is even ready to give transport charges towards the replacement,” he said.
However, the director is not of the opinion that accountability needs to be fixed and inquiry should be initiated with regards to infested foodgrains.
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FDA inspects stock at
Cortalim godown
Taking serious note of the reports with regards to maggot-infested rice, a team from the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday rushed to the godown located at Cortalim and inspected the stock.
The FDA team also inspected some fair price shops in Mormugao taluka, where cases of maggot-infested rice have been reported.
Sources said that the FDA team reached the godown on Friday to check the infested
food grains stored inside. Later, they
checked the stock and inquired with the
FPS owners on the issue.
FDA inspects stock at
Cortalim godown
Taking serious note of the reports with regards to maggot-infested rice, a team from the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) on Friday rushed to the godown located at Cortalim and inspected the stock.
The FDA team also inspected some fair price shops in Mormugao taluka, where cases of maggot-infested rice have been reported.
Sources said that the FDA team reached the godown on Friday to check the infested
food grains stored inside. Later, they
checked the stock and inquired with the
FPS owners on the issue.
