Kendrapara: Over 15 quintals of flattened rice (chuda), bags of jaggery and biscuits have been left to rot in Kendrapara block office store room since the last six months. The relief materials were meant to be distributed among the people affected by cyclone Amphan in May and also in the aftermath of recent flood.
The spectacle is shocking because recently allegations came to fore that people of 27 panchayats in the block had not received relief materials post cyclone Amphan.
Questions are being raised from various quarters as to why the food was left to decay in the block office and not distributed to people in time.
"Relief materials worth lakhs of rupees have been left to decay in the block office. Who is responsible for the negligence," questioned an intellectual, Rabi Pati.
Kendrapara Block Development Officer (BDO) Sudhir Kumar Singh however clarified that the flattened rice was procured during Amphan and was distributed in enough quantities to the affected people.
"The 'chuda' packets in the storeroom however were not distributed as it was not fit for consumption," the BDO said.
Meanwhile, Kendrapara district Collector Samarth Verma has directed the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) to launch an investigation into the allegations.
"I have asked the ADM to enquire into the matter and give a written report within three days. Action will be taken if dereliction of duty is found," said Verma.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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