Impurities in rice: Central team collects sample
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 22 2013 : Following reports of the presence of Urea and DAP granules in rice, a consultative committee of the Government of India today inspected Sangaiprou FCI go-down and collected rice samples.

However, the committee was barred from making any such inspection at the State Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution godown due to objection raised by an officer.

Members of the consultative committee of the FCI for the State of Manipur nominated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Pu-blic Distribution, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India examined Sangaiprou FCI godown.

After inspecting the go-down, Konjengbam Sarala, one of the members of the consultative committee told media persons said that they were inspecting the FCI go-down acting on the reports of presence of Urea and DAP in PDS rice at Takyel Khongbal, Imphal West a few days back.

Rice is being stocked pro-perly in the FCI godown and it is of fine quality.

Rice stocked in the FCI godown was harvested in 2011-12 and 2012-13 crop years.

However, rice which was found mixed with traces of Urea and DAP was harve-sted in 2010-11, Sarala said.

The inspection team was extended full cooperation by officers and staff of the FCI godown.

FCI's duty is restricted to stocking food grains and providing them to State CAF&PD Departments according to their requirements for distribution to public.

Whatever goods arrived at FCI godown are stocked after sampling together with officials of the State CAF&PD Department.

Manipur's quota of PDS rice for a month is 8778 metric tonnes.

After visiting the FCI go-down, members of the consultative committee went to the CAF&PD godown located nearby.

At first the team met one Finance Officer.

As the team went ahead to inspect the godown and take samples of rice stocked there, the District Supply Officer, Imphal West and one OSD vehemently objected the team from making any inspection, Sarala said.

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