‘Rotten’ wheat being given under Atta-Dal scheme in Ludhiana
Wednesday, 28/10/2015
http://www.indiapress.org/gen/news.php/The_Tribune/
Ludhiana : Beneficiaries of the Atta-Dal scheme are allegedly receiving sub-standard wheat grain in Ludhiana district. People of Pakhowal block alleged that panchayats were distributing rotten food grain under this scheme. They said they had also not been receiving pulses (dals) from several months.
During a visit to the office of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO), Pakhowal block, a large number of job card holders under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act (MGNREGA) were seen carrying polythene bags containing wheat grain. Women had come to show sub-standard wheat given to them to the BDPO.
“It has become a routine affair. The government distributes damaged food grain to poor beneficiaries under the Atta Dal scheme. It is not fit for human consumption. We wanted to return it. The panchayat members threaten us that they will cancel our Atta-Dal scheme beneficiary card. We feel cheated when we receive sub-standard food grain,” said a beneficiary.
Tarsem Jodhan, a leader of Swaraj Abhiyan, said, “There should be a quality check on food grain before its distribution to beneficiaries. The distributed grain in several villages is not fit for consumption. It can’t be used even as cattle feed. The authorities should take action against the concerned officials.”
Lovekesh Sharma, District Food Supply Controller (West), did not respond, despite several calls.
Beneficiaries are also not receiving pulses from the last six months in the district.
Sona Thind, District Food Supply Controller (East), said, “We are not receiving pulses from six months. There is no allocation of pulses due to some problem. We are not aware about the reason.” Beneficiaries alleged that due to price hike of pulses, the government had stopped the distribution of Dal.
