1600 tonnes of foodgrains rotted in government godowns, foodgrains not distributed amidst self-reliance

-During the lockdown, the poor rushed for tank food

New Delhi on Tuesday, October 6, 2020

During the lockdown imposed by the Corona, thousands of poor people struggled for a tank of food. In government warehouses, on the other hand, 1,600 tonnes (one ton, that is, one thousand kilos) of grain rotted and had to be thrown away.

In April this year, Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan claimed that the government had reduced food waste by taking precise measures in warehouses and distribution. On the other hand 1600 tons of grain had to be thrown away due to rot. This grain was not even eaten by cattle.

To avoid starvation, millions of workers were forced to walk to their hometowns as no vehicles were available. Many of them returned to their homeland. Some workers were crushed on the way. How much walking can be done on an empty stomach.

Now, the food ministry has released figures showing that 26 tonnes of foodgrains rotted in May this year while more than 1,452 tonnes of foodgrains rotted in June. The figure dropped again in July and 41 tonnes of grain rotted. In August, another 51 tons of grain had to be dumped.

Grain did not go bad in March and April this year. Thus the grain is kept covered in every warehouse. In addition, grains are preserved by spraying fumigation and pesticides.

Disciplinary action was taken against 125 government employees between 2014 and 2018 for negligence in storage of foodgrains in warehouses.