Rayagada: While the National Food Scheme (NFS) aims to supply rice and other commodities at very affordable rates to poor, complaints of low quality or discrepancies in weighing of these commodities at the point of distribution have sparked resentment among beneficiaries in Rayagada district.
It is now over three months that the NFSA beneficiaries in Kujendri panchayat of Ramanaguda block in the district are being supplied rice infested with insects. Besides, the beneficiaries also alleged discrepancies in supply of kerosene by the officials.
Despite several complaints, the administration officials have not taken any steps to resolve such issues.
"The rice supplied to us is infested with insects and it is absolutely unfit for consumption. Similarly, the kerosene supplied to us weighs less than the actual quantity allotted," alleged beneficiary Manorama Gamang.
Another beneficiary Venudhar Gamang alleged "The Rs 1 per kg rice supplied is unfit for consumption and the supplies department is cheating us."
Meanwhile, the Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS) of the area has refuted the allegations levelled by the beneficiaries. "I distribute the rice supplied by the government and there is no discrepancy," B Chiranjeevi Raju, GRS of Kujendri said.
The Ramanaguda block Supplies Inspector, Rita Behera said that the beneficiaries are being supplied with good quality rice. However, appropriate steps will be taken if we get complaints regarding any irregularities.
"There is no discrepancy in weight of the rice supplied to the beneficiaries. We have provided the panchayats with extra quantity of rice in case of insect infestation," Rita Behera said.