‘Mechanism to check food for jawans in place’

Assam Rifles has engaged services of nutritionists to prepare a standard menu based on calorific requirement of its troops and other paramilitary forces are having monthly mess meetings to address any grievance with regard to quality of food being served to the personnel, the government has informed Parliament.

The issue of sub-standard food being served to paramilitary personnel had hit the headlines after BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav posted a video about it on social media.

Yadav’s January 9 video posted on Facebook showed a meal box comprising a watery soup-like dal, which he said had only turmeric and salt and a burnt chapati.

Yadav had alleged that this was what jawans were served on duty and that they often went to bed on empty stomach.

After his video went viral, Union home minister Rajnath Singh ordered an inquiry into his allegations which is still on.

Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said a mechanism is in place to check quality of food being served to jawans.

“Forces (CAPFS) while deployed under Ops Control of Army procure ration as per defence food specification/food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Also, some forces like Assam Rifles is reported to have engaged nutritionist to prepare a standard menu based on calorific requirement of troops,” said Rijiju.

In all paramilitary force units, a medical officer or duty officer or senior officer check food for its nutritious value and quality during their visits, said the minister.

“Monthly mess meeting is carried out to look into grievances and further improvements. In addition, this ministry has also advised the forces that the senior officers may also partake the food prepared for jawans and endorse a note on the quality and quantity of food in inspection register,” added the minister.