Muzaffarpur/Patna : A dispute over the quality of rice supplied to Anganwadi centres has emerged at a warehouse in Kurhani block, with several Anganwadi workers alleging that the rice was rotten and contained insects.
The workers protested during the distribution and some reportedly refused to accept the stock, raising concerns over its suitability for use as nutritional food for children.
Prema Kumari, an Anganwadi worker at Centre No. 248 in Shahpur Maricha panchayat, alleged that the rice being distributed from the warehouse showed signs of spoilage and contained visible insects.
She said the rice was intended for use in the nutrition programme for young children and raised concerns that consuming poor-quality food could affect their health. According to her, the matter was also brought to the attention of the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Kurhani.
Workers Refuse to Accept Rice
The alleged condition of the rice led to protests among workers present at the distribution site.
The workers raised concerns before the warehouse authorities and questioned who would be responsible if children fell ill after consuming rice that was allegedly unfit for use.
Following the protest, several workers refused to take the stock, resulting in a dispute at the warehouse over the quality of the rice.
Distribution Stopped After Protest
Warehouse manager Chandan Chaudhary said over the phone that the distribution was stopped following the workers’ objections.
He said those who had accepted the rice had done so voluntarily, while those who objected had declined to take it. He added that distribution would resume when fresh stock arrives.
Questions Over Quality Checks
The incident has raised questions about the quality-control process for rice supplied to Anganwadi centres.
The workers have sought the supply of good-quality rice for children enrolled at the centres. The allegations also raise questions about whether the quality of the stock was checked adequately before it reached the warehouse.
Any confirmation regarding the condition and quality of the rice would depend on an official inspection or quality assessment.
