Imphal, July 17: FCS minister Ph Parijat today informed the Assembly that nine FCS employees who have been indicted by the CBI in the infamous rice scam have been placed under suspension.

He further said that investigation is still on and many more heads may roll if they are found guilty.

The suspended employees include one IAS officer, three FCS officials and five store keepers.

The nine employees were placed under suspension following the findings of the CBI which was roped in to investigate the rice scam that rocked the state in 1991-1992.Joining the discussion for the demand for grants of FCS, Housing and Urban Development, Development of Tribal and Schedule Caste and Tribe in the evening session of the Assembly today, the FCS minister said that the Government is currently looking into the possibilities of implementing the recommendations submitted by the CBI.

The minister further said that it is the responsibility of the FCS to lift the goods from the FCI godown at Dimapur.

Parijat also informed the House that at present rice stock at the Dimapur godown worth about Rs 1 crore has turned rancid as the rice could not be lifted in time as there some external pressures on the FCS.

The rice is now no longer fit for human consumption, he said and assured that the Government will keep a strict watch to ensure that the rancid rice is not mixed with good rice and sold to the public.

On the petrol requirement of the state, the minister said Manipur requires 1400 kilolitres of petrol per month while the kerosene quota per month is 2,224 kilolitres.

On petrol adulteration, the minister said that investigations are on to verify whether the fuel is adulterated at Khatkhati or at the IOC Depot at Chingmeirong.

When the demand for grant of Municipal Administration Housing and Urban Development came up for discussion, MAHUD minister L Nandakumar informed the House that the government has put a stop to the construction of the first floor shops located along the northern side of Mapal Kangjeibung.