Rotten rice supply in Bandipora exposes rot in system

Bandipora, Aug 22: The residents of Bandipora Thursday raised concern after a huge quantity of fortified rice was supplied to a Fair Price Shop (FPS) in the north Kashmir district.

The issue came to the fore after the locals and the officials stationed at the store noticed the problem and brought it to the notice of the district officials of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Department.

“The decayed rice is a concern,” said a local from Aayathmulla village where poor-quality rice was received.

Following this, the issue was raised, and the truck was directed to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The sources said that a huge quantity of rice was found to be of poor quality inside the truck, after which the Assistant Director of the FCS&CA was apprised who “seized the vehicle” and ordered the “sampling” of the rice.

“Among 40 bags, eight were discovered completely rotten and 32 bags had partially decayed,” the concerned FPS dealer said during the unloading process.

Following the discovery, the dealer refused the delivery and asked for it to be taken back, but "they refused."

Later on, the FCS&CA’s supply team was called to the location where they took the samples from the vehicle, he said.

This is not the first time poor-quality rice has been found in the supply, sources said.

Complaints have been frequently pouring in from other areas, including Ahamshereef and Malangam as well.

The complaints gained strength since March this year, locals said.

They alleged that the officials responsible for quality checks “ignore their duties” while receiving supplies from the government granary in Ajas.

Locals alleged that they procure low-quality rice for “monetary gains”.

They also accused the officials, mostly in Hajin and Sumbal areas, of involvement.

 “There have been many complaints pending about the poor quality of rice. However, it is being brushed under the carpet by the officials for reasons unknown,” sources said.

They said that there have been other discrepancies going on in the department inside the district for some time, which need to be corrected by putting them under scrutiny.

Chief Inspector Food Safety said he knew nothing about the issue.

One of the documents in possession of Greater Kashmir, however, reveals that the department's food safety unit had pulled 1 kg of a sample from the questionable vehicle and sent it for testing.

The documents have been signed by four safety officials and FBOs.

They have dated the crop from the years 2022-2023.

“However the vehicle was let go even as sample reports are yet to come,” the FPS dealer said.

They said that by the quality and the packaging, it seems the crop is older than that.