Govt directs committee to evaluate quality of 2330 MTs of rice in FCI’s stock

Irfan Tramboo

Srinagar, Sept 16: In the matter of sub-standard grains lying with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, the Government has formed a 5-member committee to ascertain the facts and submit a detailed report in this regard.
The committee has been tasked to inspect the stock which is around 2330 MTs at FSC Baramulla while also, check the parameters to ascertain whether the grains are fit for human consumption or not.
The members of the committee include the Director, FCS&CA, Kashmir who will be acting as a chairman of the committee while as Addl. District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, General Manager FCI or his representative, Food Analyst, Kashmir and Assistant Director, FCS&CA, Baramulla have been designated as the members of the committee.
The committee has been directed to submit the detailed report within 15 days, while as in this connection the committee is scheduled to visit the FSD Baramulla on Saturday (September 18) to inspect the stock which is in store there.
With regard to the fresh 5-member committee that has been formed, an official on the condition of anonymity told Excelsior that the committee might not be able to furnish its report within a set time and the same might witness delay as, after the inspection, the grains are to be dispatched for analysis and based on that, a decision could be made.
In this regard, the Additional District Development Commissioner, Baramulla as well as the Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Baramulla have been informed about the visit to the FSD, Baramulla and have been directed to remain present on the said date.
Earlier, the Government had pulled up the FCI authorities for forcing the FCS&CA to lift the sub-standard grains while stating that it was beyond doubt that the stock is worth human consumption and is also not fit for distribution under PDS.
It had also made it clear that the lifting of the stock won’t be possible for the department while impressing on FCI to ascertain the ground reality concerning grains in stock at FSD, Baramulla, however, nothing changed on the ground, prompting the Government to form a committee to thoroughly probe the matter
Before that, when the matter was highlighted, a committee was formed by the Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla to ascertain the facts and evaluate the quality of the grains, however, the committee failed in finalizing the report and the matter was then taken up by the higher-ups who have now again formed a high-level committee to look into the matter.