Kalpetta: Revenue Minister K. Rajan dismissed the reports of worm-infested rice being distributed by his department to victims of landslide disasters in Meppadi, Wayanad. 

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Rajan emphasised that none of the relief kits provided by the Revenue Department were damaged and assured that an investigation would be initiated if required.

Rajan noted that the relief items were distributed across seven panchayats, including one municipality, and six local self-governing bodies from SKMJ Higher Secondary School on October 30 and November 1. 

"If rice of good quality was provided in all other areas, how could there be an issue in only one location?” he questioned. He clarified that the last batch of rice distributed was in a sack and that this was not the last batch of rice distributed by the district administration. 

The minister detailed the items included in the relief kits, which contained rice, coconut oil, spices like coriander and chilli powder, turmeric powder, sugar, green lentils, milk powder, tea powder, salt, ravva, meat masala, chicken masala along with cloths and basic household goods. He stated that no ravva or flour had been provided since the last distribution on September 9. "If any items have been held for prolonged periods, that would be a grave mistake, as goods should not be kept back,” he remarked. 

Minister Rajan also pointed out that certain panchayats admitted to including donations from various organisations along with items from the Revenue Department. “No one can confirm the origin of all the distributed goods,” he said. "Items sent by the Revenue Department come with invoices, and our staff verifies their quality before dispatch and any unfit items are withheld. We can be hundred per cent sure that the revenue department has not failed", the minister noted. 

Rajan reiterated that this incident, regardless of where the failure occurred, was unfortunate. He also assured that all goods distributed on October 30 and November 1 were inspected beforehand and provided in sacks. “If necessary, an investigation will be conducted,” he said, adding, "If these items were indeed from the previous distribution on September 9, then there are serious questions about delays in the distribution process like who distributed it? Why did the distribution process take so long? Why are the clothes supposed to be given to Onam still there"? 

The minister confirmed that there had been no complaints from any distribution points on October 30 and November 1 and that preliminary reports from the deputy collector and other officials were being reviewed.