By IANS,
New Delhi: The government Wednesday ordered “immediate penal action” against Food Corporation of India (FCI) officers for improper handling and damage to wheat stocks at three warehouses in Uttar Pradesh.
Taking cognizance of an inquiry report submitted by a team of department of food and public distribution, the government also directed FCI chairman to “take corrective measures for improving storage conditions at these three depots and also at other FCI depots throughout the country”.
“The ministry of consumer affairs and food and public distribution inspected storage conditions at Hapur, Orai and Harduaganj depots in Uttar Pradesh. The team has observed spoilage of wheat stocks at these depots and serious dereliction of duty by concerned FCI Officers,” said a ministry release here.
“The approximate quantity of grain damage is 30 tonnes at Hapur, 15 tonnes at Orai and over 300 tonnes at Harduaganj costing nearly Rs.50 lakh,” it said.
The government acted upon the reports on the damaging of wheat stock, which was unprotected from the downpour in these places in the recent days.
“The government has taken cognizance of the report and instructed chairman FCI to take immediate penal action against the concerned officers,” the statement said.