Samples of rice sent from Punjab to Arunachal Pradesh found to be unfit for consumption
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs found that 15 of 19 rice samples sent from Punjab to Arunachal Pradesh were “beyond rejection limit,” with three deemed unfit for consumption. Following this, a directive was issued to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to check stored food grains across facilities in the Punjab and Arunachal Pradesh regions.
CHANDIGARH: Amid the ongoing political tug-of-war between the Centre and the Punjab government over ‘tardy’ procurement of paddy, a new twist has emerged with 15 of the 19 samples collected from the rice stocks at Banderdewa in Arunachal Pradesh, which were sent from Sangrur in Punjab, found to be ‘beyond rejection limit’ (BRL) and three found to be unfit for human consumption.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution subsequently shot off a letter to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) urging it to ‘verify the quality of food grains preserved at all godowns’.
The letter written by the Joint Commissioner Storage and Research in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to the Chairman of the Food Corporation of India on October 23, a copy of which is with The New Indian Express, reads, “This is in reference to the inspection conducted by the Assistant Director (S&R) of this department of the food storage deport (FSDs), depots in FCI district Banderdewa in Arunachal Pradesh with effect from September 16, 2024 to September 21, 2024. During the inspection, a total of 19 rice samples were collected.”
“Based on the analysis report, 15 samples out of the total 19 were found to be beyond rejection limit (BRL) as per the uniform specification issued by the DFPD and three samples were found beyond FSSAI standard (unfit for human consumption). The inspection report along with the analysis result is annexed,” reads the letter.
It added, “Further, the deliberation of the analysis results clearly depicts the grave and serious shortcomings in the duties of the district officers, officials and authorities involved in the whole channel from procurement to distribution. Therefore the concerned personnel shall be identified since the lack of adherence to their responsibilities has led to serious implications that may hamper the food security of the state. The unfit for human consumption stock shall be immediately removed from the food chain to avoid detrimental effect on the health of the beneficiaries under PDS.”
“Therefore in view of the above, it has been decided by the competent authority that the FCI shall verify the quality of food grains preserved at all godowns for the crop year 2022-23 and 2023-24 under the FCI district Sangrur, Punjab region and FCI district Banderdewa, Arunachal Pradesh region. The detailed report of such assessment may be submitted within fifteen days to the ministry. Thereafter on examination of the assessment report, the ministry in its supervising capacity may also cross verify the assessed stock,” it stated.
Sources said that the samples are tested for quality every month and this rice consignment had been sent to Arunachal Pradesh in July and the sampling was done in September, adding that it has to be checked if the rice quality deteriorated here or in Banderdewa.
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