TANAHUN: It is learnt that a huge amount of rice meant to be distributed to earthquake victims in Laprak of Gorkha is unsuitable for consumption.

According to Laprak VDC Secretary Chet Prasad Amgain, of the total 477 bags of rice sent to Laprak for distribution among quake victims through the World Food Programme, 100 bags were found containing rotten rice.

“After we found the condition of the rice, we kept the rice bags in the godown,” Amgain said, adding, “We told them about the issue and WFP employees said they would replace the rice.”

Regarding the issue, Gorkha Chief District officer Uddhav Prasad Timilsina informed that his office has deployed staff to study the quality of food items to be distributed to victims. WFP information officer Sakun Gajurel, on her part, claimed the organisation is not distributing sub-standard rice.

“Whatever rice we distribute is always lab-tested. Lately, after we heard that the rice we had taken to Gorkha was rotten, we’ve sent our probe team,” said Gajurel, adding the team will submit a report by Saturday.

Meanwhile, WFP has started distributing relief in Laprak, by setting aside the poor quality rice. It is providing a rice bag containing 40Kg, two litres cooking oil and one kg pulses to each of the 615 families of tremor victims in the village.

WFP is distributing relief materials to temblor victims in the northern part of the district in coordination with Nepal Red Cross Society and Save the Children.