Andhra Pradesh - Guntur   

‘Drama’ over rice quality

Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

All India Democratic Women’s Organisation members cooking rice on the premises of the zilla parishad in Guntur on Saturday.

GUNTUR: A meeting of representatives of political parties on the Zilla Parishad complex to discuss the sale/quality of superfine rice at designated counters of the millers turned out to be a unique protest ground for the Opposition parties.

All India Democratic Women’s Organisation members cooked rice on the ZP premises and brought it into the meeting hall where the District Collector B. Ramanjaneyulu and Joint Collector Gaurav Uppal were reviewing the situation and listening to the complaints from the leaders.

The AIDWA and CPI-M leader D. Rama Devi alleged that while the Government was claiming to be providing rice at Rs.20 a kg., the quality of that rice was as good as that of Rs.2 a kg.

To substantiate their contention, the Communist leaders brought the samples of the rice and also a vessel full of cooked rice. Peeved at the way the party was protesting, the District Collector lost his cool and questioned if it was a drama being enacted or a meeting hall where problems were being discussed.

Congress leaders led by MLA Mastan Vali said that TDP and CPI-M leaders alleged that rice was being sold at Rs.40 a kg. but nowhere such a price prevailed and wanted a specific complaint from asked them to name the counter/miller.

“The quality of rice being sold ranged from Rs.18 to Rs.25 depending on quality, but was far superior to Rs.2 a kg. rice,” the Joint Collector and District Collector said dishing out the figures of quantities of specific quality of rice sold at the outlets.

The District Collector promised action against millers if the charges made by the opposition parties or public were proved and asked them to provide credible information.

The District Collector also reviewed the functioning of the Social Welfare hostels and amenities provided there. Pointing out that the quality of academics and education had improved a lot, he wanted the hostel wardens and social welfare department officials to provide soaps, and other items as prescribed by the Government. He also promised to advance money for purchase if they did not get sanctions/release.

Let the quality of life in the social welfare hostels improve as students were no less meritorious compared to those studying in the corporate schools, he opined.

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‘Drama’ over rice quality

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