File seeking reply on Food Act missing

On a day when the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) of India rapped the Centre by bringing out hard facts and figures through its seven audit reports, PM Narendra Modi-led government may have had partial relief as tabling of key report on the Food Security Act could cause further embarrassment to them. 

The report, having key findings on preparedness for the implementation of the National Food Security Act 2013, was not tabled along with seven other documents as the file, seeking reply on final queries went missing from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Sources said the CAG had sent the final list of queries to the ministry, headed by Ram Vilas Paswan, in December 2015, but it did not get the reply. Other ministries – Textiles, Department of Revenue and Information & Telecommunications – have already submitted their replies to the query sent in February this year, sources said.

“The CAG has pointed out several lapses on the supply and distribution of methodology of essential commodities to be distributed among people as part of the food security drive,” a source said, adding that auditor has asked for details such as buffer stock of grains, works done by the ministry to improve storage capacity, funds spent on the drive, etc. 

“The missing of file story sounds interesting as the government is trying to cover up its poor performance on providing food to the poor,” said Nikhil Dey, a social activist.