Jammu, August 25: BJP Jammu & Kashmir Spokesperson Ankit Gupta has expressed serious concern over the findings of laboratory tests conducted by the National Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, which reportedly found significant deviations in the quality of wheat supplied under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Kishtwar.
Gupta said that the reported presence of foreign matter, mineral matter and ergot-affected grains beyond the prescribed limits is a matter of grave concern, particularly because the wheat was meant for consumption by beneficiaries, including people living in remote and difficult areas of Jammu & Kashmir.
He demanded a fair, impartial and time-bound enquiry into the entire matter to ascertain how the substandard wheat reached the PDS supply chain and why the prescribed quality-control mechanisms failed to prevent its distribution.
“Food meant for the poor and vulnerable sections cannot be compromised with under any circumstances. The reported findings raise serious questions about procurement, storage, transportation and distribution of the affected wheat. The administration must identify where the lapse occurred and fix responsibility at every level,” Gupta said.
He further demanded that responsibility be fixed on officials found negligent or responsible for allowing the distribution of wheat that failed to meet prescribed standards. Appropriate action, he said, should follow against those found guilty, irrespective of their position.
Gupta also welcomed the decision to conduct random sampling and testing of wheat stocks stored at FCI godowns across Jammu & Kashmir, and urged the authorities to make the exercise comprehensive and transparent.
He said that the government must ensure immediate replacement of any substandard stock and safeguard the health and interests of every PDS beneficiary.
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