Food Corporation of India asked to take back poor quality wheat

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 14

On receiving complaints regarding quality of food grains, the UT Department of Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology has asked the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to take back the identified poor quality wheat.

The department has been distributing free food grains (wheat) under the PMGKY-IV among the registered beneficiaries at 25-kg wheat per person for five months (from July to November, 2021) in one go.

Since the department has neither any fair price shops nor any godown for storage of food grains, the distribution of food grains is carried out by the agency that was selected through tender process for lifting, stacking, packing and distribution of wheat only after proper quality and quantity checks have been made.

On getting complaints regarding poor quality of wheat, the department conducted 100 per cent physical inspection of the wheat, which was received from the FCI, Punjab. A team from the FCI was also asked to carry out inspection of food grains being supplied to the UT.

The department has strictly informed the agency and the FCI that there would be no distribution of any poor quality of wheat in the UT. It will be done only after 100 per cent physical inspection by the department. It had also asked the FCI to take back the identified poor quality wheat.

To keep more vigil on this task of lifting wheat from the FCI, the department has also deputed two inspectors at the FCI in addition to the officials already deputed by the selected agency at the FCI godown. Only after proper verification of quantity and good quality wheat stock, the supply would be accepted, stated the department.

The department will also take strict action against the erring agency that was tasked with the lifting, stacking and distribution of wheat in the city. A show-cause notice has been issued in this regard.

The department has also issued a show-cause notice to the Food Supplies inspectors, who have failed to perform their duties.

The department will take all necessary action to ensure that only the “fit-for-consumption” food grains are provided on the doorstep of the beneficiaries.

Show-cause notice

The UT Department of Food and Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology has also issued a show-cause notice to the Food Supplies inspectors, who have failed to perform their duties. The department will take all necessary action to ensure that only the “fit-for-consumption” food grains are provided on the doorstep of the beneficiaries.