The action follows in the wake of similar reports of rice failing quality test in Nagaland, Karnataka, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
Written by Kanchan Vasdev 

Days after rice transported to Nagaland and other states from Punjab was found “unfit for human consumption”, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has asked its field staff to double-check rice for its quality before despatching it.

In a communication to all district managers and assistant general managers (quality control), senior general manager of FCI has stated that all rice rakes despatched from Punjab should be double-checked by regional office quality team.

“We are getting very bad impression from other regions due to recent incidents happened in Nagaland,” the communication has stated while asking the Divisional General Manager (DGM) of FCI to form the team division-wise to check the quality and certify before despatching. Without their report no stocks should be moved from godowns, it further stated.The DGM has also been asked to plan the rakes only after getting clearance from quality division. “It must be instructed to all field staff to maintain the quality measures without fail. If any small issue is reported from any region, strict action will be taken against officers concerned. It is the personal responsibility of AGM to check every aspect before despatching,” the communication stated.

The action follows in the wake of similar reports of rice failing quality test in Nagaland, Karnataka, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. A few samples were found to be “unfit for human consumption”. Following this, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had written to FCI to check the quality of grains stored in Sangrur, Jalandhar and Nabha FCI districts, from where the stocks were moved to the recipient states. The ministry in its letter (written on November 13) to FCI had also asked the officials to remove the stocks “unfit for human consumption” from the food chain. It had also asked the FCI to check why this was happening.

Recently, 11,241 quintals of rice was sent to Dimapur (Nagaland) and Assam.

On November 12 and 13, the samples of these rice failed the quality test. As many as 18 wagons with 23,097 quintals
of rice had insect infestation. The fortified rice was also under par (below standard).

Published Date: November 18, 2024