(a) Whether large scale contamination of imported wheat due to the use of substandard
packing has been reported recently ;
(b) If so, wehther the jute bags used for packing of imported wheat did not conform to
Bureau of Indian Standard norms;
(c) If so, whether the issue has been taken up with the Ministry of Textiles ;
(d) If so, the reaction of Ministry of Textiles thereto; and
(e) The steps being taken for the protection and proper packaging of imported wheat?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (DR. AKHILESH PRASAD SINGH)
(a) : No, Sir.
(b) : Some jute bags not confirming to BIS specification were found by the FCI.
(c) : Yes, Sir.
(d) : Accordingly the Ministry of Textiles have constituted a Joint Inspection Team
consisting of Food Corporation of India (FCI), Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA),
Directorate General of Supply & Disposal (DGS&D), Directorate of Quality Assurance
and Office of Jute Commissioner, Kolkota to conduct an inspection regarding conformity
of jute bags to BIS standards. Jute Commissioner has also initiated action against the
alleged defaulting units.
(e) : To ensure quality, FCI has been purchasing jute bags through DGS&D. The jute bags
are checked for quality by DGS&D before they are accepted by FCI for packing foodgrains.