(a) whether the Union Government have plan for the sale of foodgrains and other consumer items in the market after they qualify a laboratory test;
(b) whether the Government are aware that the foodgrains distributed among the public during
relief or sale through the Government departmental stores are done without any laboratory test;
(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor; and
(d) the corrective steps taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION ( SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN )
(a)&(b): Foodgrains conforming to the specifications laid down by the Government and
also conforming to the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) standards are issued by the
Food Corporation of India (FCI) to the States for distribution under Targeted Public
Distribution System (TPDS) and other welfare schemes of the Government.
(c): Does not arise.
(d): The following steps have been taken to ensure the supply of good quality foodgrains :
i) Ample opportunities are provided to the officials of the State Governments / Union Territories (UTs) to inspect the stocks prior to lifting from the FCI godowns.
ii) Instructions have been issued to all the State Governments / UTs that an officer not
below the rank of Inspector should be deputed to check the quality of foodgrains before lifting
from the FCI godowns.
iii) The samples of foodgrains are jointly drawn and sealed by the officers of the State
Governments / UTs and the FCI during the issue of stocks from FCI godowns for display at the
counters of Fair Price Shops (FPSs) .
iv) The officers of the State Government concerned and the Ministry conduct surprise checks
of FPSs to oversee the quality of foodgrains being distributed through TPDS.
v) The officers of the Department of Food and Public Distribution designated as `Area
Officers` also monitor the TPDS work in their respective States and also inspect storage
depots and FPSs during their visit to the States .