JAMMU: The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD) department of Jammu and Kashmir government today declined to procure substandard wheat from the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
The decision was taken by the CA&PD minister Choudhary Zulfkar Ali during a meeting with the officials of the FCI here today.
"The government rejects procurement of low-grade wheat and rice stock to keep its promise and determination for providing quality essentials to the people", the minister said.
The Minister directed FCI to immediately lift the poor quality wheat from the godown and replace it with quality stock besides ensuring supply of quality rice.
He emphasised upon them to make sure that no such low grade commodities are supplied to CA&PD godowns in future as otherwise the government will have to rethink over their dealings with them.
He also instructed the Director CA&PD to ensure that the Assistant Director CA&PD check the quality of essential commodities before receiving the consignment of wheat, rice and other essential commodities.
Regarding the issue of usage of various godowns of the department by FCI, the Minister asked FCI to vacate the godowns as the department is facing shortage of space for storage of essential commodities.
It was decided in the meeting that check posts would be executed in various districts to contain pilferage of essential commodities so that the consumers could get adequate ration supply.
These check posts would be jointly managed by functionaries of FCI and CA&PD department.