Port Blair, July 06: Raising question on supply of poor standard PDS rice supply in the Islands, the Member of Parliament today said that the Centre would be urged to restart supply of Grade ‘A’ rice as was being done during the previous NDA government.
The MP during today’s press conference said that during a recent visit to the Civil Supplies godown at Dollygunj, it was observed that poor quality of rice is being supplied to PDS consumers. Besides, the storage space was found to be poorly maintained and food stocks were found infested with bugs.
“There was spider web all around and warms could be seen flying everywhere. There were total 4,200 bags full of rice. The officials of the Civil Supplies Department have been asked to not to change anything till a delegation of senior level officers visit the godown and record this negligence,” the MP said.
He said that the demand for hike in rice quota under PDS will be placed before the Centre as more than 8066 hectares of paddy land are lying submerged after the 2004 tsunami in various parts of these islands.
On misuse of Plan funds in the Nicobar region, Mr Ray said that a 6 crore synthetic turf at Lapathy village in Car Nicobar is lacking maintenance and remains unutilized since years. Similarly, one Girls Hostel and a Boys Hostel is under construction at Rs 3 Crores. Further, in Arong village, where water is supplied once in a week, an ITI building is being constructed for a whopping 3 crores. Ironically, the ITI at Lapathy having 3 streams and 60 seats, has an enrolment of just 8 students, the MP claimed urging the administration to refrain from criminal wastage of money.
