After AP floods, government distributes expired oil packets as 'relief'
Over 17,000 people in Krishna and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh were affected as the Krishna river flooded last week. However, as flood victims in Guntur looked towards the district administration for aid, they were in for a rude shock. Reportedly, the oil packets distributed among victims of the Krishna floods by the Guntur district administration were expired. Here are more details.
According to Mumbai Mirror, the palmolein oil packets distributed to flood-affected families in Kolluru block as relief material had expired on July 16 this year. To note, edible oils usually have a shelf-life of six months, following which, the oil may change color, texture, or taste. Reportedly, after noticing that the packets were expired, locals protested and demanded for replacements.
According to The News Minute, a flood-affected woman said, "We will fall sick if we use this (expired oil). We are already suffering due to the flood. The district administration should visit us and take steps to rectify this mistake."
Separately, Telugu Desam Party leader and former Minister Nara Lokesh criticized the YSRCP government saying, "They're playing with the health of the public by supplying stale oil packets to flood victims," alleging corruption. Incidentally, several TDP leaders had claimed that the Krishna floods were "man-made". Party chief and former CM Chandrababu Naidu had also alleged a conspiracy to drown his house on Krishna's banks.
Speaking to the Mirror, District civil supplies corporation manager Lakshma Reddy blamed workers saying, "Our godown in-charge has kept some packets aside after noticing that the stocks belonged to expired batch." Reddy added, "But, the workers mixed them with the valid stocks. We are in the process of withdrawing all the packets belonging to expired batch. We will identify the suppliers and take action."
Another official reportedly said that local traders saw the floods as an opportunity to make profits and mixed the expired batch with other stocks. Reddy said the oil packets were acquired for distribution on August 21. Officials have reportedly started taking the expired batch back.
Last week, Krishna river went into spate after remaining dry for a long time as the Prakasam Barrage received inflows of over 4 lakh cusecs. Two people were killed and over 17,000 in 90 villages in Krishna and Guntur districts were affected by the floods. Earlier this month, 70,000 people in neighboring East and West Godavari districts were affected as the Godavari river flooded.
