Huge stock of rice, wheat rots in FCI godown

NASHIK: Alleged mismanagement has destroyed huge stock of rice and wheat lying here at the 250-acre godown of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Lack of staff, security and irregularities in payments to godown workers has resulted in this damage, said Ganesh Gopal Joshi, member of consultative committee of FCI, on a surprise visit to the godown on December 12.

The godown is not being cleaned, hence the quality of stored wheat and rice has deteriorated, he alleged in a press release.

Also, workers carrying food grain bags from the railway shed to the godown are being paid only Rs 60 instead of Rs 160 per head, Joshi said.

Details of unloading operations in past six months show that FCI has paid over Rs 22 lakh to the railways for delay in lifting foodgrains, he said.

FCI godown authorities are supposed to lift the foodgrain from the railway shed within 9 days of its arrival, he added.
Besides, identity cards provided to workers are outdated, Joshi said adding stern action would be initiated against the deport manager in this regard.

Joshi will be submitting a report regarding all these anamolies to the Central Goverment shortly, the release added.