Rs 50-cr wheat stock damaged in two Pungrain godowns

Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, May 24

The foul smell of the damaged wheat stock stored in the open godowns in Kadgill and Piddi villages has made the life of residents miserable.

Besides this, the weevilisation (damage by small beetles) being produced by this damaged wheat is causing skin problems to the people.

This stock was stored in these open godowns about three to four years back. According to norms, this stock was to be shifted to covered godowns within six months.

The stock has been declared totally damaged by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). It was assessed to be worth more than Rs 50 crore.

Sources said that 2.5 quintals of wheat each was stored at Kadgill and Piddi godowns.

Residents of Kadgill village said that the foul smell has not only made their life miserable, but young men in the area are not able to get brides due to the miserable conditions in the village.

Residents said that as soon as the sun sets, weevils spread out in as much as a 10-km radius, making it difficult for residents to come out of their houses. Hence, it becomes difficult for the rural women to milk their animals and prepare dinner.

This wheat stock belongs to state procurement agency Pungrain. M Chaudhry, manager (quality), FCI, said that the entire stock has been declared damaged. Now, it was the duty of the agency concerned to remove the stock from the godowns.

Sawinder Singh Chutala, general secretary, Kisan Sangarsh Committee, Punjab, said if the agency doesn’t remove the stock, they would be left with no option but to take the path of agitation.