A day after a resident of Benaulim raised fears over “plastic rice” being mixed and supplied in fair price shops, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Secretary of Civil Supplies Sanjit Rodrigues clarified that it was “fortified rice” that was being supplied under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme to address the micro-nutrient deficiency of people.
The fear of plastic rice emanates from the various videos linked to countries like China and Africa that have been in circulation over the years, and the Benaulim incident comes against the backdrop of Goans getting maggot-infested rice at various ration shops. The supply of fortified rice, on the other hand, is a welcome announcement, but the question is about not informing the public or creating awareness.
The recent developments throw serious questions over the distribution system, system checks, accountability and responsiveness. It took a day for the civil supplies department to explain that fortified rice is being distributed and dispel the fear of plastic rice, and it is yet to explain and fix responsibility for the maggot issue. Is this the way the system works?
While the Civil supplies department is taking pride in the fortified rice launch, it is still tight-lipped over the maggot-infested rice. What we know is that rice is an ideal breeding ground for insects that lay their eggs and hatch into maggots. The condition worsens and food grains are infested due to faulty storage facilities. The worry here is such rice is not safe for consumption because the living organisms leave biological waste and other deposits that could eventually lead to contamination resulting in health issues for consumers.
Going by the logistics, the infestation may happen at various points ” the supplier, godown, the distributor, the fair price shops or even at households. It may be difficult to process 100 per cent pest-free grains in India because there are risks of infestation at every stage, which is why authorities have a task cut out.
Fortified rice is a completely different formulation of rice that is infused with vital nutrients, but still, there have been cases of consumers in other States showing adverse reactions in those suffering from sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia and tuberculosis. There can’t be a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and hence creating awareness is a must before the launch. The department cannot create an environment of fear and expect people not to speculate.
Sadly, there is no sense of urgency on the issue despite understanding the consequences these developments could have on the citizens and the already shaken confidence in the public distribution system. Such instances speak poorly of PDS which has been at the forefront of the government’s policy for the management of the food economy.
Fish, curry and rice is the staple food of Goa. In the wake of the recent development, there is an urgent need to explain the concept of fortified rice and also enforce more stringent quality checks at various levels. Just because the rice is being distributed at subsidised prices or given free of cost does not mean the quality of supplies can be compromised. "Take it or leave it" cannot be the approach. The welfare and health of all citizens should be a top priority.
