MillenniumPost
Bengal

Mamata seeks report from food department

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sought a report from the state food department within the next two days after she came to know that there were some mistakes in the list of the beneficiaries, who are suppose to get food grains at Rs 2 per kg under Khadya Surakha project. 

It may be mentioned that the state government has decided to provide rice and wheat at Rs 2 per kg to around 7 crore people and another 49 lakh will also be getting food grains at a much subsidised rate. 

Sources said a list containing names of people those are under below poverty line has been prepared and the Centre had the responsibility to prepare the list after proper scrutiny. But it has been found that there were several names in the list those live above poverty line.

The Khadya Surakha project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on January 27. Considering that the people, who actually need help, may remain neglected due to the mistakes in the list. 

It is learnt that the state Food Minister Jyotipriya Mullick held a meeting with top officials of the department at Khadya Bhavan on Wednesday. During a meeting, the minister and the officials had discussed the issue. At the same time they also tried to find a way out to rectify the mistakes in the list. 

Though it is not yet confirm, but sources in Nabanna said a survey may be conducted once again to prepare an error free list. Moreover, directions have been given to rope in the needy in the list. 

After coming to power, in the first cabinet meeting held in May 2011, the Chief Minister had said as the state government belonged to “maa mati manush”, the interest of the poor and the needy people should be kept intact. 

She said the attempt should be made that the poorest of the poor get a square meal a day and safe drinking water.

Accordingly, all the municipalities, civic bodies and state public health engineering department were asked to ensure that drinking water reaches every household. Filtered water is to be provided free of cost. Similarly, Banerjee had instructed the food department that through rationing system, those who are below poverty line should be given food grains. Banerjee also told the officials of the department to ensure that the quality of rice was not bellow standard.

She was not happy when she got the report that the list contains names of those who live above poverty line. 

A flawless list will include the genuine beneficiaries and the food and civil supplies department are trying to work in this direction.  
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