Baripada, Sept 12: Allegations have surfaced over the quality of rice distributed to ration card holders through Paunshia Gram Panchayat under Badasahi Block of Mayurbhanj district during July and August.
According to local residents, the rice supplied under the government’s public distribution system (PDS) allegedly contained what appeared to be plastic-like grains. A resident of Kanihamuhli village, Dularam Murmu, claimed that around 200 grams of the suspected material was found in approximately two kilograms of rice received for the two-month period.
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Murmu alleged that the suspected grains behaved differently from normal rice when tested at home. He said that after soaking the rice in water, some grains reportedly continued to float on the surface and appeared different even after the water was drained.
He further claimed that when the suspected grains were crushed with a traditional grinding stone, they did not easily turn into powder but instead became flattened. According to him, when exposed to fire, the grains reportedly burned in a manner resembling plastic.
The allegations have raised concerns among beneficiaries over the quality of food grains being supplied through the PDS in Paunshia Panchayat.
When contacted, Badasahi Supply Assistant Alok Kumar Barik said that Dularam Murmu had informed him about the matter. However, Barik stated that he had not personally examined the suspected rice. He said that once the sample is brought to him for inspection, he would inform his senior officials and take the matter forward.
Questions have also been raised over the source and supply chain of the rice distributed in the panchayat. Residents have demanded that authorities verify the depot from which the rice was supplied, the quantity received, the type of rice supplied, and the official orders under which the consignment was dispatched.
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Local people have called for a thorough investigation into the allegations to establish whether the suspected material is actually plastic or another type of grain or food fortification product, and to determine whether there were any irregularities in the procurement or distribution process.
A proper examination of the rice sample by the competent authorities and laboratory testing could help establish the facts and clarify the nature and source of the suspected material.
