PDS beneficiaries in Odisha cry foul over ‘plastic’ rice

Jeypore: Beneficiaries of the food security scheme in Koraput district accused the District Supply Officer of supplying substandard quality rice to them. The beneficiaries in Jeypore and Borigumma blocks of the district have been so scared to consume the rice supplied to them, they kept the rice bags at houses without utilizing it.

Some beneficiaries alleged the rice got melted when shown to fire whereas others said the rice is floating in water. They demanded the district administration to launch a probe into the alleged supply of ‘plastic’ rice.

In his reaction, District Supply Officer Pradeep Kumar Panda said the rice supplied to the food security act beneficiaries is nutritious. He urged the people to keep aside their fears and consume the rice to get the health benefits.