Souurc: indiatoday.in
Even
as Jharkhand is reeling under growing poverty, malnutrition and
starvation, over 1,200 quintals of food grains were found rotten in a
warehouse at Ranchi. On investigation, glaring lapses and negligence
were found as reasons leading to the massive wastage of the food grains,
meant to be sent to different schools for mid-day meal.
The food
grains were stocked and had arrived for the distribution among the
Antyodaya Ration Card holders and 1009 quintals of cereals were supposed
to be sent to different schools for mid-day meal.
The manager of
the godown said that the roof of the godown was damaged and led to the
leakage of rainwater during monsoon. He said that previously rejected
stock was kept with the fresh food grains, and further damaged the fresh
stock.
When Aajtak’s team went inside, the godown was stinking because of the rotten grains.
Food
and supplies minister Saryu Rai said that despite many letters to the
education department, the 1,009 quintals of cereals meant for
distribution for mid-day meals were not collected, also the letters went
unresponded. However, he added that erring officials would not be
spared, and stringent action will be taken against the guilty.
Meanwhile,
the Opposition latched on to the opportunity to grill the government.
Congress spokesperson Alok Dubey accused the BJP-led state government of
neglecting the interest of beneficiaries who depend on Public
Distribution System for their monthly ration.
The advisor to the
Supreme Court on Right to Food, Balram, alleged that the failure of the
PDS system has once again been exposed. It has failed miserably to
deliver, leading to the storage of food grains in the warehouse for
long, leading to damage.