Supply of sub-standard Atta in Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 18: Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Jammu, Jitender Singh today suspended a Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) and Mill Supervisor in connection with the supply of highly sub-standard Atta in Jammu and recommended the black-listing of Vijay Flour Mill of Bari Brahmana to the Government.
The action was taken by the Government on the report published in Excelsior on March 14, 2019. A Committee headed by Joint Director FCS&CA, Jammu, Pawan Sharma and assisted by Kulraj Singh Deputy Director ( F/R) and Assistant Director Trade and Store, Jammu, Mohd Sagir was constituted by the Commissioner/ Secretary FCS&CA, Dr Abdul, Rashid. The committee today submitted report to the Government and recommended action against the Vijay Flour Mill of Bari Brahmana, owned by Vijay Gupta of Jammu.
Director FCS&CA told the Excelsior that on the basis of findings of the Inquiry Committee, it has been recommended to the Govt to Black list, Vijay Flour Mill which had provided sub-standard Atta. He said gunny bags weighing 50 kg each supplied by the Miller had no proper stamp on the product.
Singh said on the recommendation of the Committee, Incharge TSO/ Store-keeper, Sanjeet Singh and Mill Supervision, Gharu Ram have been placed under suspension. When asked why concerned AD Mill and AD Trade and Store were absolved of their responsibility and no action was taken against them, he said it was not under his domain.
He, however, said that Department of FCS&CA has stopped supplies from this Mill. The supplies of the food grains have also been stopped.
It is pertinent to mention that after the publication of the news, the Food Safety team of the State Government conducted raids in CAPD stores on University Road, Nagrota and also at some Govt food outlets and seized nearly 270 quintals (540 bags) of substandard Atta. They have lifted the samples and sent to various labs for analysis/ tests in the state and outside. The FCS&CA has also sent the samples for Lab testing at their own. They expect report within two weeks. The sources in the department said that for just face saving exercise only junior employees were made scapegoat while the others, part of this nexus have been saved.
Commissioner Food Safety J&K, Dr Abdul Kabir Dar said that such raids/ inspections at various Govt Food stores and ration outlets would continue in near future not only in Jammu but in other districts as well. He said not only quality, but there is need to check quantity as the reports of under weight of the flour and rice gunny bags are being received from various quarters.
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