By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Amid allegations of diversion of food grains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns to the black market, the Executive Director of FCI (North East Zone), Pinuel Basumatary, said it is the responsibility of the State Government to check such malpractice.
Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of the new building of the regional divisional offices of FCI, Northeast frontier region here, Basumatary said, “The diversion of food items (from the godowns) is the look-out of the state government as the names of distributors are issued by it. The diversion may be due to the government appointed nominees which is beyond our control.”
Pointing out that the FCI is not responsible for issuing stock, the senior official said his department only keeps track of the quantity and quality of stock which reach the godown from other states.
According to Basumatary, unlike Mizoram where the distribution of the stock is handled directly by the food and supply department without appointing any nominees, food items in Meghalaya are issued to the government’s nominees via the food and supply department.
When asked about monitoring the quantity and quality of the food items, Basumatary said “There can’t be any complaint regarding the quantity as the stocks are issued based on the requirements and we have quality officers for the maintenance of the quality of the food items and to detect damaged bags of rice, wheat and others if any”.
