Inhabitants of Podampeta, a marine fishermen’s village in Ganjam district of Odisha, protested against the supply of extremely low-grade rice, unsuitable for human consumption, under the Food Security Act.
Despite being very poor, these families have decided not to use rice supplied to them. They have piled up the bags of rice in the middle of their village and demanded that the administration take it back.
According to panchayat ward member B. Hadiamma, the rice supplied to around 300 ration card holders of the village is unusable and infested by pests including worms and insects.
These villagers had not received their quota of subsidised rice for the past two months. Their quota of two months was supplied together just two days back.
Several villagers complained of irregularities in weighing during the supply of this rice. Some women alleged that they were misbehaved with when they complained about the poor quality of rice that was being handed over to them.
‘Problem genuine’
The villagers approached Chatrapur MLA Priyanshu Pradhan regarding this. Mr Pradhan took the matter with the district administration and Civil Supplies Department. Speaking to The Hindu on Sunday, Mr Pradhan said the problem of Podampeta residents seemed to be genuine and the sample of rice which was shown to him was of too degraded quality. “I have contacted the District Collector and the Civil Supplies department officials and they have promised to take the rice back. As Sunday is a holiday, it would be done on Monday and the beneficiaries would be provided fresh and good rice instead,” he said.
According to Mr Pradhan, the Civil Supplies Department officials have claimed that during procurement, the rice was in good condition. They have assured that they will probe into the reason behind its degradation.
“Some weeks back beneficiaries of Purushottampur block had also alleged that low grade rice was supplied. So, it is high time the administration ensurea quality rice to the beneficiaries under the Food Security Act,” said social activist M. Panda.
