MITHI: Drought-hit Tharis continued their complaints that the Sindh government was distributing rotten wheat in the name of relief operation.

But Adviser to Chief Minister on Information, Law and Anti-corruption Barrister Murtaza Wahab has rejected the reports regarding distribution of substandard wheat.

He said that on the instruction of the CM, he along with Provincial Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh visited Tharparkar to ensure smooth relief measures for the drought-hit people, but there were no complaints.

They checked quality of wheat being distributed and weight of bags during the visit to Thar, which was found satisfactory, he said.

However, people visiting seven centres set up by the administration in the taluka headquarters of the desert district, including Mithi, Kaloi and other towns, alleged that officials of the revenue and food departments were giving rotten wheat to the beneficiaries registered by Nadra.

They deplored that despite their continued protests and media coverage of the problem, no action was taken against those involved in the “scam”.

Some officials, who wished not to be named, told local reporters that some beneficiaries were given the bags kept in the godowns.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2018