MARGAO: Taking serious note of the maggot-infested rice distributed at a few fair price shops in the village, the Davorlim-Dicarpale panchayat members on Thursday demanded an immediate inquiry into the fiasco and action against those involved in supplying infested rice.
Sarpanch Herculano Niasso, along with panch members Menino Colaso and Myra Raikar on Thursday visited the houses of ration cardholders and even fair price shops where maggot-infested rice was stocked, but were surprised to find the shops closed.
The panch members informed O Heraldo that they received several complaints from the people that maggot-infested rice had been distributed to them at the fair price shop Nos. 90 and 93.
Soon after O Heraldo highlighted the issue, which was later raised in the ongoing assembly session, a team of the Civil Supplies Department visited several fair price shops across Salcete taluka and found maggot-infested rice in a few fair price shops including Davorlim shop No. 90.
After receiving the news, the Davorlim-Dicarpale Panchayat urged the people to check the rice before consuming it and the local village body demanded that the government should conduct an inquiry into the matter.
Shockingly, the panch members found maggot-infested rice collected by the people from fair price shop No. 93 in the village.
Speaking to O Heraldo, the Sarpanch said that after verification it has been revealed that the rice distributed is infested.
“The government cannot deny that the maggot-infested rice is not supplied to the fair price shops. We have all the evidence which will prove the allegations by the ration cardholders are true. People have already stopped consuming the infested rice and hence the government needs to look into the matter seriously”, he urged.
The Civil Supplies Department is duty-bound to supply healthy and clean rice to the people.
Panch member Menino Colaso informed O Heraldo that he had received many complaints from people in his ward about the maggot-infested rice.
“Yes, we have found that the infested rice is not fit for human consumption. Interestingly, dogs and cats are not consuming the same and hence people are forced to throw the rice,” he said.
He demanded inquiry and action against those involved in supplying infested rice.
Goretti Gomes, a ration cardholder from Davorlim, informed that she stopped collecting her rice quota from the fair price shop in June.
“The maggot-infested rice is not fit for consumption. Fearing health issues, we stopped consuming the same,” she added.
