Kerala ration rice found to contain worms and fungus is being removed from shops across Paravur taluk after complaints from beneficiaries were confirmed, with officials directing retailers not to distribute the affected stock and arranging replacement rice.
The issue was first reported earlier this month at a ration shop in Chendamangalam panchayat, where cardholders complained about poor-quality matta rice. Similar complaints were subsequently raised from other locations in the taluk. Officials, including the taluk supply officer, visited the Chendamangalam shop and removed sacks containing the affected rice. The complainant, Antony Konath, was also called to the shop during the inspection.
The rice was supplied by a private mill in the Paravur area of Kalady Parappuram. The affected sacks carry the name of the rice mill at the bottom and the Supplyco name and seal at the top, according to the report. The complaints have raised questions over how the stock was inspected before being moved to the godown and then distributed to ration shops.
After the complaints intensified, the taluk supply officer sent a mobile message to all ration shop dealers on Wednesday instructing them not to issue rice from the specified brand. The mill concerned was also asked to remove the stock from the shops and supply rice of acceptable quality in its place.
The supply officer said ration cardholders must not be given the poor-quality rice under any circumstances and that strict instructions had been issued to dealers. The affected stock is therefore being taken back from the shops while replacement supplies are expected to be provided through the same distribution network.
The episode follows similar complaints reported from several ration shops in the taluk in July. The recurrence has brought attention to the inspection and accountability chain covering private mills, Supplyco facilities, godowns and retail ration shops. The report does not specify the quantity of rice affected or the number of shops involved across the taluk.
BJP Ernakulam North district president M.A. Brahmaraj called for strict action against officials responsible for the distribution of the rice. He described the supply of grain unfit for consumption through the public distribution system as a serious lapse and alleged that authorities had failed to ensure the quality of foodgrains meant for eligible beneficiaries. He also criticised the lack of action against those responsible and alleged that Chief Minister and local MLA V.D. Satheesan had remained silent on the matter.
The immediate administrative response is the removal of the affected rice, the prohibition on its distribution and the supply of replacement stock. Further action against suppliers or officials, if any, has not been announced in the report.
