Chandigarh, 22 November 2024: With reports of substandard rice from Punjab surfacing in multiple states, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has initiated stricter quality checks by forming eight inspection teams. These teams, each comprising three officers, will conduct random quality checks on rice being dispatched from Punjab to ensure it meets all specified standards before leaving the state.
Over the past month, rice shipments from Punjab to Nagaland, Karnataka, and Arunachal Pradesh were flagged for various quality issues. Complaints included excessive broken grains, higher-than-allowed moisture levels, insufficient fortified rice kernels, and early signs of pest infestation. In more serious cases, rice sent to Arunachal Pradesh and Karnataka was declared “unfit for human consumption,” halting its use in public distribution programs.
Punjab’s FCI regional office attributed the deterioration to transportation, handling, or storage conditions in the recipient states, maintaining that the rice met quality standards before shipment. However, following these recurring issues, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution directed the FCI to conduct comprehensive checks across all major storage centers in Punjab.
The newly formed inspection teams will operate at FCI facilities in Budhlada, Kotkapura, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Mullanpur (Ludhiana), Moga, Nabha, and Sangrur. They are tasked with collecting samples, verifying quality, and certifying rice stocks before they are dispatched. The move supplements the existing quality checks performed by local FCI teams at these centers, effectively introducing a second layer of scrutiny.
Punjab currently has approximately 113 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of rice in storage. Transportation of this stock to other states will now require clearance from the quality control division, ensuring no subpar grains leave the state.
Recent complaints involved rice dispatched from Sangrur, Sunam, Jalandhar, and Nabha. The FCI’s intensified efforts reflect a broader commitment to maintaining food safety standards and rebuilding trust in the public distribution system.
