TV
In a surprising case of negligence, a large stock of wheat meant for public distribution has allegedly been destroyed by pests and rodents in a municipality godown in Rayagada district. Locals and beneficiaries blame the administration for this massive food grain loss.
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According to sources, hundreds of quintals of Public Distribution System (PDS) wheat, stored in a municipal godown in Rayagada district, have been eaten away by rats and infested by bugs, rendering the entire stock useless. Visuals from the godown reportedly show heaps of chewed-up bags, bug-infested grains, and barely any wheat left in good condition.
The godown at Sulabha Retail Sales Centre in Gandhi Nagar had stored 65 quintals of wheat, which had arrived last November for nearly 7.97 lakh beneficiaries in the district. However, following government orders, distribution was halted. As a result, large quantities of wheat lay idle for months, gradually consumed by the pests and rodents.
Officials confirmed that the district received 1,183 quintals of wheat in November 2024. Of this, 748.65 quintals were distributed, while the remaining stock rotted in storage due to alleged inaction on the part of the officials concerned, thereby sparking resentment.
Locals question why no routine inspections were carried out to prevent such wastage.
While residents hold the administration responsible, the Rayagada district supply officer (DSO) has assured a formal investigation.
However, concerns remain over how such a critical lapse in food security management went unchecked.
“Wheat was distributed for two days in November last year, which was stopped thereafter following a government order. We have preserved the grains as much as possible on our part. Pests have attacked the grains and rats have destroyed the sacks,” a senior officer of the sales centre, Mahesh Kumar Pattnaik, said to OTV.
“We have been asked to resume the distribution from next month. PDS wheat will be given to the beneficiaries if only conditions of the grains are found to be good and consumable. Otherwise, we will inform the departmental higher-ups,” Pattnaik stated.
