Food Commission inspection begins in Kalaburagi

The Karnataka State Food Commission, on Thursday, launched a three-day inspection tour in Kalaburagi district to review the implementation of the National Food Security Act and to identify and rectify lapses in food quality and supply.

Commission chairperson H. Krishna said that teams will visit schools, hospitals, hostels and anganwadi centres to assess food safety and the quality of food being provided under various government schemes.

Speaking at a progress review meeting with officers from multiple departments at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Thursday, Dr. Krishna said that each commission member will visit one taluk and conduct surprise inspections at hostels, fair-price shops, mid-day meal centres, primary health centres and district and taluk hospitals.

He said that the commission has received widespread complaints saying that rice distributed under the Anna Bhagya scheme is being illegally diverted and sold in the black market.

“The commission will investigate these allegations thoroughly. Sudden inspections will also be carried out at godowns. Office-bearers of organisations and individuals affected by irregularities in Anna Bhagya or food safety may directly approach the commission members during this visit,” he said.

After completing the taluk-level inspections, all commission members will hold a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner on Saturday.

“The district administration will be instructed to take corrective measures based on the shortcomings and issues identified during the inspection,” Dr. Krishna added.

Commission members Lingaraj Kote, Sumanth Rao, Maruthi M. Doddelingannavar, A. Rohini Priya and K.S. Vijayalakshmi, in-charge Deputy Director of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Munawar Daula, Social Welfare Department Joint Director Preeti Doddamani, District Health Officer Sharanabasappa Kyatanal, DDPI Suryakant Madane and Assistant Controller of Legal Metrology Rafiq Ladji were among those present.