Complaint against PDS flour

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 14: Malda district controller of food and supplies department has received a complaint that flour, which was sold to the people through the public distribution system, was not fit for human consumption. It may be noted that the state government had recently decided to provide packaged flour to the people at a reasonable price. A huge quantity of flour was allotted to Malda and through the essential commodities department the packets were distributed among the dealers for phase-wise distribution. According to the district controller of food and supplies, the product was distributed to the dealers in specific areas according to phases. In some blocks the packets have already been distributed. While in others areas the dealers have received the product but are yet to distribute them and the rest will distribute it in future according to allotment. The Malda DCFS, Mr NK Saha said: “Yes, I have received a complaint regarding the matter. I am trying to contact the quality control department in Kolkata. We will take decision after we get to know their opinion regarding the matter. There is no question of an expiry date in this case like that of medicine. It was, however, mentioned on the packets that the products was best for use before one month from the date of production. It does not mean that the expiry date is over and product is not fit for human consumption,” he told The Statesman over phone. The stock is now more than a month old. “We will take a decision after receiving a comment from the quality control officials. If they point out it is not fit for distribution we will stop,” Mr Saha added. According to him, the department has received a total of 116 complaints regarding the irregularities against the modified ration dealers till date. It may be noted that 25 dealers have been suspended due to public outrage.