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Title: Need to check the supply of substandard and damaged foodgrains to the Kerala by the Food Corporation of India, meant for the Public Distribution System.
PROF. A.K. PREMAJAM (BADAGARA): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I would like to draw the attention of this august House to a very serious matter. The Food Corporation of India is transporting substandard and damaged foodgrains to Kerala which are not actually having the required quality. It is substandard and it is not fit for human consumption.
Sir, it is a matter of common knowledge that foodgrains had been damaged in large quantity in Andhra Pradesh and Punjab due to natural calamities. These foodgrains are being procured by the Food Corporation of India and deported to Kerala and from last January onwards, the damaged rice, which is not fit for human consumption, is allotted to Kerala for the Public Distribution System. This is done at a time when the Government of India has increased the issue price of foodgrains meant for distribution through the Public Distribution System. The ration dealers in Kerala are not actually taking delivery of this type of foodgrains, because they are afraid that the people of Kerala, who are very much aware of their consumer rights, will not buy it. The supply of such foodgrains has not been stopped and it is still continuing.
Sir, I also apprehend that on this ground there will be a cut down in the demand of foodgrains in the Public Distribution System which will be reckoned by the Government of India for reduction in the allotment of foodgrains. So, I would request the Government of India to look into the matter and I would also request that a Half-an-Hour Discussion should be allowed on this matter.
>SHRI S. AJAYA KUMAR (OTTAPALAM): Mr. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, I also support the demands raised by Prof. A.K. Premajam. I demand an inquiry into the whole problem of PDS in Kerala.