BHUBANESWAR: WITH over 90,000 tonnes of custom milled rice stacked in godowns of Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) for more than three months, the agency has requested the State Government to remove the stock to avoid deterioration in quality.
Stating that hot and humid climate is prevailing in the State after onset of monsoon, Regional Manager of CWC, Alok Kedia in an official communication to the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation (OSCSC) has said the extreme climatic condition might affect the quality of food grains.
The prevailing climatic condition might have deteriorating effect on the food grains, both qualitatively and quantitatively. As the rice stock is more vulnerable to infestation, the CWC has requested the State-owned corporation for early liquidation of the stock to avoid damage.
Sources in OSCSC said over 33,300 tonnes of rice are under storage for more than three months while about 56,800 tonnes of food grain are in stock for about three months in different godowns of the CWC.
Meanwhile, General Manager, PDS, OSCSC has directed district managers for early utilisation of the rice stock under public distribution system.
As the State Government has directed the civil supplies corporation and district collectors to provide PDS rice to all the beneficiaries under National Food Security Act for two months (July and August) by the end of July 25, the existing rice stocks in CWC godowns will be utilised, the sources said.
Supply of two months’ ration in July is a precautionary measure by the State Government to avoid any dislocation in supply of food grains due to possible floods. With monsoon active and the State experiencing good rainfall, the Government has directed the corporation to keep adequate stock of food grains in districts vulnerable to floods.
Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare SN Patro has directed supply inspectors of all the districts to visit PDS outlets to ensure that the Government directive is implemented.