Government's negligence to rotting grain in Madhya Pradesh

New Delhi, May 31: With the monsoon reaching Madhya Pradesh in two weeks time it looks like the state will face another grain drain with over 7 lakh of fresh wheat grain lying in the open.

The government in Madhya Pradesh claims that both state and private godowns are in use and there isn't any place left to store grain, according to a report on CNN-IBN.

According to the godown owners, the godowns are vacant and not been taken on rent as they refused paying bribes to the officials and their complaints to the chief minister of the state have fallen to deaf ears.

Godown owners are also complaining that the officials there are seeking bribe.

"I was asked to pay Rs 10,000 bribe and when I refused, my godown was not taken on rent," said Radhe Shyam Aggarwal, a godown owner.

In Gadarwara, fresh wheat is seen lying outside a warehouse, despite the state government continuing to pay rent for storing grain, with pests already in the grain.

"We have issued over 100 fresh licenses. That means storage capacity has been enhanced by 2.5 to 3 lakh metric tonnes. Also we have enhanced the rent," said Ajity Kesri, Additional Director of the Food and Civil Supplies, adding that the government has done all it can to increase the storage capacity.

Madhya Pradesh, this year has already acquired more than 47 lakh metric tonnes of wheat. According to the state government, 30 lakh tonnes of wheat have already been stored, while 10 lakh tonnes of wheat are covered with tarpaulin sheets. Remaining 7 lakh remains unattended and rotting in the open at several places damaged by pre-monsoon showers, as reported on CNN-IBN.

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