A joint inspection at some godowns functioning under the Bihar State Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (BSFC) has revealed irregularities in supply of jute bags. The survey was carried out on Monday in the wake of an inspection by the Jute Commissioner’s Office officials on September 19, during which they reported to have found that a Bihar-based jute bag manufacturer had supplied substandard bags to BSFC. Through open tender process, the mill had bagged a contract for supply of 60,000 bales (500 bags each) worth over Rs. 120 crore.
It is learnt that this time, the team comprising officials of the Food Corporation of India, the Jute Commissioner’s Office and the BSFC visited at least two godowns located at Bihta and Arwal near Patna.
At Bihta godown, the team found heaps of loose bags and some stocks of rice processed during 2013-14. Government sources say bag samples collected from there weighed less than the mandatory 665-gm limit.
“At Arwal godown, the samples taken from a bundle revealed that some bags did not carry the mandatory branding by suppliers, and some did not mention the manufacturer’s name,” said an official adding that almost all the bags weighed below 665 gm.
“Several samples also did not meet the Bureau of Indian Standards’ criteria, as found during the previous survey. The manufacturer had resorted to supply of used and substandard material,” said the official.
Following the inspection by the Jute Commissioner’s Office in September, the BSFC wrote to the Bihar’s Food and Consumer Protection Department earlier this month, highlighting several irregularities in the supply of jute bags. Stating that procurements made through the Directorate General of Supplies & Disposals resulted in losses to the organisation, the BSFC made a case for purchase through open tender as it would save Rs.12 crore.
The BSFC accused the Jute Commissioner’s Office of non-cooperation as the procurements were made directly from mills through open tender.
The BSFC has demanded a fair probe into irregularities.
