Distribution of substandard rice to Supplyco ( Kerala): Mills under scrutiny since 2011
By Aleena Maria Augustine
Several complaints have been raised since 2011 against the Mary Matha Rice Mill in Kalady, Ernakulam and JBS Agro Mill in Perumbavoor for supplying low-quality rice stock to the Konni and Pathanamthitta godowns of Supplyco.
These mills have previously faced public protests for operating without proper licenses and causing environmental pollution. One of these mills reportedly received stop memos from authorities on three separate occasions and was forced to shut down from 2015 to 2016 due to protests. Similar concerns have been reported against S&S Mills in Kalady, which is operated by the same management.
One of the major allegations raised against these mills is their distribution of low-quality rice and paddy, which were reportedly procured as cattle fodder from Andhra Pradesh during the monsoon and mislabeled as saleable rice.
With the local panchayat issuing a stop memo for operating without a licence, the mill owner approached the Kerala High Court and resumed operations after obtaining an interim stay. It is also alleged that despite several complaints lodged with the Kalady police, no significant action has been taken against the mill.
Meanwhile, these mills have not initiated steps to retrieve the 5,400 sacks of rice deemed unfit for consumption and currently stored in Supplyco godowns at Konni and Pathanamthitta. The rejected stock consists of six loads of rice delivered to the Konni godown and five loads to the Kulashekarapetta godown.
The mill management has claimed that the rice stock met quality standards during an inspection by their internal quality checker. However, the district’s quality inspector found the stock substandard and submitted a report recommending its return.
Truck drivers who delivered the stock have not received instructions to transport the rejected rice back to the mills. Without unloading the stock, these drivers cannot claim payment for the transportation, as their contracts stipulate door delivery.
Currently, the trucks carrying the rice remain parked on the premises of the Supplyco godowns. Drivers and crew have been staying with their vehicles for the past five days, awaiting further directives.
This article was been republished from The Omanorama.