Department of CS & CA supplies worm infested rice to public
Mohammed Sajid
Port Blair, Jan 09: Here comes ‘Worm’ Pongal and Makarsankranti Greetings from the side of Administration for the General Public. Check rice supplied by Administration through Fair Price Shops, you will definitely see atleast dozens of worms in it.
After complaints received by general public, when Andaman Sheekha visited a few ration shops, it was found that the rice provided by Department of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs have live worms in it.
General public are deeply disappointed with the quality rice they have received through FPS while the owners of FPS are also equally bugged as they have to face the brunt of public outrage for this poor quality rice almost every day.
“Most of the customers have no other options than taking this rice home but before that they grill us and often abuse us for this worm infested rice. There are many who preferred to say no and they took packet rice this month. If we get worms in rice from Supply Department, it is not our fault,” said a FPS owner.
When contacted by Andaman Sheekha Mr. Dhirendra Kumar, Deputy Director, CS & CA said that actually the rice items are provided by the FCI and it is coming from Chennai, Vishakhapatnam etc. places.
He said that in the last occasion when the rice was imported there was heavy rain which caused damages and infection in rice.
“After getting complaint from market we have already informed FCI’s senior officers. We have informed that the rice provided to us last time was not suitable for selling in the market therefore we have requested them to either replace the rice or to spray some chemicals to kill all worms,” Kumar added.
But sadly the damage is already done worms have already soured the New Year, Pongal and Makarsankranti Joy of many families. Hope next time before distributing rice to public the Department of CS & CA will take extra care to check the quality than waiting for receiving complaint from market.
i have also noticed in Rangat in some FRS.