Shimla, April 8
The Serious concerns over the quality of wheat supplied through the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Himachal Pradesh were raised during a high-level sitting chaired by State Food Commission Chairman Dr. S.K Katyal
The meeting, attended by flour mill owners from districts including Shimla, Solan, Bilaspur, Sirmaur and Mandi, focused on procurement, quality control, processing, packaging, fortification and distribution of wheat and wheat flour.
Officials flagged alarming instances of infestation and impurities in wheat sourced from Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns. In one case, wheat lifted on March 30 was found infested with live insects and damaged grains, prompting serious concern from the commission.
Millers highlighted that impurity levels in wheat such as dust, insects and stones average around 2.5%, affecting output ratios without any compensation mechanism. They also pointed to logistical challenges, noting the absence of FCI storage facilities in Shimla forces mills to procure wheat from Solan and Parwanoo, increasing transportation costs and delays.
The commission stressed strict adherence to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) norms for fortification, including mandatory inclusion of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12. Adoption of micro-feeder technology for precise mixing of fortification premix was also encouraged.
Concerns were also raised over transparency issues, with instances reported where handwritten slips were used instead of proper documentation during replacement of contaminated wheat.
To strengthen quality assurance, the commission called for a robust pre-dispatch inspection system and establishment of additional testing laboratories in industrial areas. Digital record-keeping was also recommended to improve transparency and accountability across procurement and distribution processes.
Among key directives issued were rejection of substandard wheat at FCI godowns, district-wise rational allocation to reduce transport costs, regular reporting by millers, and enhanced inspection mechanisms including random weighing checks to prevent discrepancies.
Chairman Dr. S.K Katyal emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure timely availability of quality fortified wheat flour to beneficiaries under the PDS, while maintaining efficiency and accountability across the supply chain.
