BHOPAL: Former chief minister and LOP Kamal Nath on Monday claimed that rice unfit for human consumption is being distributed through the PDS in some districts of the state. State Congress claimed that 2600 tons of fungus and mites infested rice has been distributed in Jabalpur.
Taking to Twitter, @OfficeOfKNath said, “In the past also, in the state in September 2020, a central team had detected that rice distributed to the poor were only fit as fodder for animals. At that time, those responsible had started an investigation and made big claims.”
Kamal Nath was referring to a report sent by the Union ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution which said that during the lockdown period last year, the PDS distributed rice that was fit for consumption by goats and sheep in the tribal districts of Balaghat and Mandla. More than 32 samples of rice collected from these districts were rejected and categorized as unfit for human consumption. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had ordered a probe into the case in September last year.
“Now again, the matter of distribution rice with worms-fungus-mite has been revealed,” Kamal Nath claimed. “After all, why is the Shivraj government repeatedly making fun of the poor? Why is rice, fit for the consumption of animals being distributed to the poor?” he asked.
The senior Congress leader demanded a high-level inquiry into the fungus and mite infected rice distribution.
