Ranchi, July 17: Food and civil supplies minister Saryu Roy today inspected State Food Corporation godowns in Kadru locality of Ranchi and was unhappy about what he learnt but could not see.

Roy, who had gone there after receiving a complaint that large quantities of food grains were rotting at a particular godown, could not witness the damage as the general manager was on leave.

But, he soon learnt that though food grains for July were due to be distributed by the 10th of the month, the supply was arriving from Food Corporation of India godowns in instalments, apparently because the state corporation did not have adequate storage capacity.

Nevertheless, he decided to hold a meeting with officials on July 21 to discuss and take remedial measures.

Roy was also told that only one contractor was engaged in transporting food grains in entire Ranchi district. Also, labourers deployed at the godowns did not have PF and insurance benefits even though they were working there for several decades.

There was more. While the condition of the approach road to the SFC godown was pathetic, hand pumps on the premises were non-functional.

"I directed officials present there to ask concerned contractors to extend provident fund and insurance benefits to labourers at the earliest. Also, there is an acute shortage of work force as well. I agree that the situation is alarming," the minister said.

Thereafter, Roy spoke to finance department principal secretary Amit Khare to discuss remedies and financial implications involved therein.

Finally, he decided to hold a meeting with food and civil supplies secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey and other senior officials next week to work out viable alternatives.