4,100-quintal wheat rotting in open warehouses at Karnal
KARNAL: Nearly 4,100-quintal wheat stocked in the open godowns of the Haryana food and supplies department at Jundla town of the district is rotting.
A foul smell emanates from these godowns located on Assandh road, exposing negligence of the department officials who failed to make alternative arrangements to save tonnes of wheat from rotting.
As per the information, the wheat, kept in these godowns in 2011, worth ₹70 lakh has already rotten.
About 8,200 bags of wheat weighing 50kg each are kept here. The officials not only failed to supply the wheat under the public distribution system, but also spent about ₹45 lakh for the upkeep of the wheat. Three watchmen were also appointed to keep a vigil on the heaps of rotten wheat.
What is more surprising is that the officials are not ready to acknowledge their fault, saying the wheat has been stocked there in 2010-11 and it has not been moved since then.
The quality of wheat has deteriorated to the extent that it is unfit for human or animal consumption.
Karnal district food and supplies controller Anil Kumar did not respond to phone calls and text messages.
Karnal deputy commissioner Aditya Dhaiya said the matter has come to his notice.
“It is a serious issue and I will get it checked immediately. Action will be taken against the officials who will be found responsible for the lapse,” the deputy commissioner said.