Quality of Foodgrains

Food Corporation of India (FCI) checks the quality of foodgrains prior to procurement. Before the commencement of Rabi and Kharif Marketing Season, uniform specifications are formulated by the Government for procurement of foodgrains under Central Pool. In order to ensure that foodgrains (wheat and rice) are procured as per quality specifications, technically qualified staff is deputed by FCI for procurement. Detailed guidelines and instructions regarding sampling and analysis procedure and inspection to be followed in acceptance of foodgrain stocks are issued by FCI for strict compliance by the field functionaries. Quality control measures to be taken during procurement operations are also issued. Foodgrains are to be procured as per specifications laid down by the Government. Foodgrains are checked by the procuring technical staff to assess its conformity with the uniform specifications. Samples are drawn before the acceptance and all the quality parameters are analysed by the Technical Assistant. As per the procedure, stocks are inspected/checked by the concerned field functionaries of FCI as under :

i) 100% stocks are inspected by Technical Assistant before acceptance conforming to uniform specifications. 

ii) 25% stocks are checked by Manager (QC). 

iii) 10% stocks are checked during inspection by Assistant General Manager (QC). 

iv) 2% stocks are checked during inspection by Area Manager, FCI. 

Besides, special headquarter squads from Quality Control and Vigilance Division of FCI are deployed to inspect the procurement operations. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof. K.V.Thomas in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.