Shillong, June 14: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday tried to clear the air of confusion over the seizure of huge quantities of rice from a godown in Assam, stating that the rice meant for Meghalaya’s Public Distribution System (PDS) and COVID relief is already in the State’s godowns for the month of May and June.
“It has nothing to do with the PDS, nothing to do with the COVID relief that was given (to Meghalaya)…this is not part of the NFSA or PDS system as the rice has already been received in advance for the month of May and June and is already in our godowns (for distribution),” the CM told reporters in reaction to concerns expressed by several quarters following the seizure of rice in Assam.
He said there is no question of NFSA rice being there in Assam’s godown as there is no tag that says it is the Meghalaya rice.
“The NFSA rice which is meant for distribution has been received already in advance. There is no question of this being the NFSA rice or the rice meant for the public distribution system, there has been a big mistake or misunderstanding from the reports that have come…,” the chief minister clarified.
He said the quantity of rice seized is almost half of State’s monthly requirement, and anything that huge missing from the state’s godowns would have certainly been noticed.
He, however, did divulge that the seized rice was meant for the social welfare department, according to what he has been told, and he is waiting for a written report on the matter.
The seized rice is claimed to have been allocated to Continental Milkcose Ltd by FCI Shillong through the social welfare department.
Rice for Social Welfare department
In a statement issued on Monday, Director of Social Welfare, DD Shira said the department is awaiting an official letter from the concerned Investigation Officer of Assam government for enquiry and further appropriate action against the supplier.
According to him, the Government of India allocates rice under the Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) to different states.
He said the Directorate of Social Welfare in turn allocated the rice to the approved manufacturer (Continental Milkose Ltd) which was lifted from the FCI godown.
“The manufacturer then processes it into a variety of ready to eat fortified food products in the factory which is supplied to the Anganwadi centres under the Nutrition Programme,” Shira said.
The Director further claimed that there has been no instance of non-supply of food items so far, and complete indented quantities have been received.
He further stated that the Directorate of Social Welfare has been sending random samples of the food items for lab analysis and quality testing from time to time to ensure that the food items supplied are not of sub-standard quality and conforms to the nutritional norms.
