FCI asks for probe into wheat quota shortfall in Goa

The Goa vigilance committee of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has recommended to the state government to conduct a probe into the shortfall in wheat quota sanctioned by the Central government and identify those responsible for the incident.

The committee, at its first meeting, discovered that Goa has lost around 2,800 tonne of its share of wheat from the Centre during the past year.

Shripad Naik, MP from north Goa, who is also the chairman of the FCI's state vigilance committee, said the FCI had sanctioned an annual quota of 3,000 tonne of wheat for Goa, of which only 201 tonne of wheat was received by the state.

"The FCI has no detailed information of this shortfall. The state should immediately ensure that the original quota is restored," he said.

Naik said the inability of the state to receive its quota of wheat has in turn forced consumers, especially commercial establishments such as bakeries, to get it from Pune and other places at higher prices.

The former union minister said that he came to know of the shortfall at the first meeting of the committee held recently. Fatima D'Sa and Chandrakant Chodankar are the other two members of the vigilance committee.

Naik accused the state government of neglecting implementation of food schemes such as the Antyodaya Yojana and the Food for Work scheme.

He said the civil supplies department must immediately forward a proposal to the Union food ministry pertaining to restoration of 3,000 tonne of wheat supply to the state.

"Besides benefiting commercial establishments, the wheat would also serve the migrant population in the state," Naik observed.

Replying to a question as regards the total wheat requirement of the state, Naik said the civil supplies department pegs it at around 2,300 tonne a year.