Bhubaneswar: Union Education and Skill Development Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan has written a letter to Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Piyush Goyal, seeking the latter’s attention to apprehensions among a section of beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana over rice being supplied under PDS.
“There have been some distressing news reports in the media coming from Lamataput of Koraput, Sadar Block of Balasore and Badabahal of Sundergarh district of Odisha regarding fear and apprehension amongst the people about the supplied rice under PDS program. The rice they are getting presently is different from the rice they used to get in PDS Shop earlier,” Pradhan stated in the letter.
“They have reported that some of the rice kernels float when soaked in water and appear “very white” and “sticky” when cooked. When eaten, they don’t have their usual taste and remain intact despite chewing. Rumors have been fueled this rice being “plastic rice” and are being supplied in PDS. This has led to fear and apprehension regarding the PDS rice in the region, and many beneficiaries are worried that the rice will have an adverse impact on their health,” the letter noted.
“I am informed that fortified rice which is a mix of fortified rice kernels (FRK) and normal rice is being given under the PDS since January for added nutrients like folic acid, iron and vitamin B-12. However, the texture and taste of this new rice might have created confusion and apprehension amongst the beneficiaries. It is imperative that such apprehensions be investigated and quelled in a proactive manner by the Civil Supplies Department,” he added.
Pradhan urged Goyal to intervene and direct officials of his Minister to investigate the issues and apprehensions that beneficiaries are having about PDS rice. He requested suitable measures to spread awareness about the supply of fortified rice on urgency.
