Ensure no substandard or unfit food grains are supplied to people: Satish Sharma to FCS&CA

Jammu, Jan 2: Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Information Technology, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, ARI and Training, Satish Sharma, today conducted surprise inspection of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns in Jammu to take first hand stock of the storage, quality and distribution mechanism of food grains meant for public consumption.

During the visit, the Minister inspected various sheds where foodgrains are stored and took stock of the condition of stocks maintained by the FCI. He specifically directed the authorities to ensure proper segregation of foodgrains, stressing that only high-quality grains should be issued to the consumers under the Public Distribution System (PDS).

Satish Sharma also examined the stock registers and records related to procurement and distribution. He visited the quality testing laboratory within the FCI premises. He reviewed the procedures being followed for testing both fresh and stored food grains.

The Minister directed the officers present to strictly adhere to quality control norms and ensure that no substandard or unfit food grains are supplied to the people. He said that the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is fully committed towards safeguarding the interests of consumers and ensuring food security for every household.

“The priority of the government is to provide people with safe, nutritious and quality foodgrains. Any laxity in storage, handling or distribution will not be tolerated,” the Minister asserted.

He instructed the officials to strengthen the monitoring mechanisms and conduct regular inspections of storage facilities so that the integrity of food grains is maintained from procurement to distribution.

Senior officers from FCI and the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs accompanied the Minister during the inspection.