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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha unit of Congress has come down hard on the State government for failing to provide good quality parboiled rice to the common man under its PDS scheme. At present Odisha government is providing PDS rice to people at Re 1 a kilo.
A report on re-categorization of rice stocks in all the revenue districts under FCI district Cuttack and Bhubaneswar released by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has revealed that out of 14 different samples collected for inspection by two central-level teams of four members each, 9 of them have been found as unfit for consumption.
In the letter, the Centre had also directed Odisha government to provide necessary cooperation to the teams along with appropriate police protection during the inspection.
The revelation has not only prompted the State Congress to point fingers at the Odisha government but it has also alleged a tacit understanding between the central inspection team and the millers.
Party leader Manas Choudhury while addressing a presser expressed disappointment and said that it is quite unfortunate that Odisha government has failed to ensure minimum safety to central officials.
If a majority of samples from rice supplied to people in the economic and administrative hub of the State i.e. Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, are found to be unfit, one can just imagine what kind of rice is being supplied to people in other parts of the State, Choudhury questioned.
The Congress has demanded resignation of State Supplies Minister Ranendra Swain and also urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to initiate stringent action in this regard. However, no comments have been received from the State government.
