Irregularities in NFSA: Govt cancels tender, orders probe

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the report submitted by SupplyCo, the state government has ordered for an investigation into the irregularities regarding the raw rice and raw wheat stored in various godowns of the SupplyCo. Earlier, the report submitted by SupplyCo stated that 1892 ton raw rice and 627.91 raw wheat stored in various godowns (of NFSA) for distribution through PDS have become rotten.

The office of Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman has cancelled the tender and ordered a technical committee to conduct a probe. Earlier several irregularities were found in NFSA godowns. There are allegations that good quality rice and wheat grains are siphoned off to black markets through middlemen and low quality grains are stored in various godowns. The attempt now is to destroy these grains.

SupplyCo and Civil Supplies department gave the report on June 14. Soon after this, several godowns sought permissions for destruction of all rotten grains. This was also rejected by the department.