Meghalaya Rice scam: Strict action will be taken against perpetrators after inquiry report, says minister Shylla

“We have asked the independent inquiry to complete its investigation within three months. So we are waiting for the report,” said Shylla, adding that the government will take a call on the contracting firm only after the inquiry report.

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SHILLONG:

Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla said that the government is waiting for the independent inquiry committee to complete its probe into the alleged rice scam.

“We have asked the independent inquiry to complete its investigation within three months. So we are waiting for the report,” said Shylla, adding that the government will take a call on the contracting firm only after the inquiry report.

“We cannot deliberate on it till the inquiry is complete. However, if the firm (owner) is found guilty, strict action will be taken against the company,” he said.

The Meghalaya government had earlier instituted an independent inquiry headed by Justice (Retired) Mool Chand Garg of Madhya Pradesh High Court to investigate the alleged rice scam.

The committee has been asked to probe rice allotted to Continental Milkcose (India) Ltd for the supplementary nutrition program (SNP) found in a private godown in Boko, Assam, and seized by Assam police.

In addition to that, the committee will also probe the quality of fortified SNP food items being supplied to the children, pregnant and lactating women under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, and whether the supply has been carried out following all the norms.

On the quality of the fortified food supplied by Continental Milkcose (India) Ltd, Shylla, however, maintained, "Testing of the food items were done before being supplied to children and a report has been submitted."

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