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Shirdi trust issues notice to 3 officials after worms found in rice for prasadalaya

The prasadalaya trust feeds about 30,000 devotees every day at highly subsidised rates

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The solar cooking system on the premises of Saibaba Sansthan Trust
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Days after worms were found in the rice used to cook meals at the prasadalaya of the Saibaba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi, officials managing the eatery have sealed the entire stock and issued show-cause notices to three staffers from the purchase department.

The prasadalaya trust feeds about 30,000 devotees every day at highly subsidised rates. With a daily requirement of about 25 to 30 quintals, its annual requirement of rice is over 10,000 quintals. According to trust officials, the entire stock is procured through e-tendering process, said Rajendra Jadhav, CEO of the trust.

As per the trust's procurement norms, Jadhav said, the supplies are made in a staggered manner to avoid rotting of food grains.

The worm infestation came to light during a recent inspection of the godown that stores grains, following which the stock was sealed on Wednesday, said Rajendra Shelke, executive officer of the trust.

A further inquiry revealed that the prasadalaya had in June 2013 given contracts to two Nanded-based traders, who supplied their entire quota of over 12,000 quintals in just two months, despite there being ample rice in the godown. The purchase department again bought 3,500 quintals from the same traders last year.

In all, the probe found that the purchase staff had bought an excess of about 2,000 quintals.

"We have made alternative arrangements for the rice to be cooked and served at the prasadalaya. While we have served show-cause notices on three officials, a detailed investigation is being conducted," said Jadhav.

This is not the first time, the Shirdi trust has come under a cloud of malpractice. A few days ago, substandard ghee was supplied to the prasadalaya. In another case, a large quantity of medicines bought for the trust's hospital were unscrupulously diverted.

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