No godown to store foodgrain for poor

The godowns meant to store foodgrain under the public distribution system, which have been with the government for more than 100 years, are being handed over to their private owners, the Opposition alleged on Wednesday.

The godowns meant to store foodgrain under the public distribution system, which have been with the government for more than 100 years, are being handed over to their private owners, the Opposition alleged on Wednesday.

Ramdas Kadam (Shiv Sena) said that five godowns in Mumbai and four in Thane have recently been handed over to their private owners. “The city now has no godown left to store foodgrain for the poor,” he said.

Sena legislators demanded specific information on the government’s decision on the godowns. Food and civil supply minister Anil Deshmukh said that four godowns were given back to the owners between 2005 and 2008, as the government had adopted the targeted public distribution system few years ago.

The chairman of the council directed the government to submit a detailed statement.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader of the legislative council Vinod Tawde alleged that the state has, in the last ten years, diverted Rs7,000 crore meant for the backward class to other sections.