Minister’s surprise visit yields graft in edible oil trade

However, they were stunned when Singh literally forced his entry into an oil shop in the market, popularly known as Tel Bazar. Initially, no one came forward to claim the ownership of the shop. One of the workers, who was present, declined to speak to the Minister, saying, he was a passer-by.

Subsequently, when Singh asked the FDA officials to seal the shop, since though the shop is open and the owner is absconding, a 30-year-old person came forward, saying he is the owner of the shop. The shop owner refused to comment on the volley of questions posed by Singh, saying, since he was out of station for quite a long time, he was not aware of the status of existing oil stocks in his shop.

When Singh entered the shop from the backyard, he was taken aback to find a huge quantity of oil stored in a gutter. “This is certainly shocking. I have asked the FDA officials to collect the samples and also register a case agaist the shop owner for improper storage of stocks,” Singh said.

Singh’s surprise visit was well organised. Though he raided a record number of 15 shops, he ensured that his visit was not known to other traders. At each shop he raided, he deputed two police officials as well as equal number of FDA officials to ensure that the shop owner does not make telephone calls, nor shift the oil stocks from his shop.

“I have received a large number of complaints of adulteration in edible oil. In fact, I had asked the local officials to seize samples and send for analysis. But when I came to know that a section of oil dealers had refused to give samples and had even threatened the FDA of dire consequences, I personally decided to visit these shops and collect samples. I hope to receive the report with a week, following which we will take stern action against the erring oil merchants as per the provisions of the Prevention of Food and Drug Adulteration Act,” Singh said.

On the nature of complaints, Singh said, the main allegation against the oil manufacturers was that they were adulterating either soya or castor oil with groundnut oil.

“The price of a 10 kg oil tin of soya oil is Rs 265, while the same quantity of groundnut oil costs Rs 465. If the two brands are mixed and sold as groundnut oil, then the trader will be main beneficiary. In addition, some of them were adding such liquids to the edible oil, which are unfit for human consumption. We have to stop the illegal trade on top priority. I have asked the FDA officials to conduct statewide raids to halt the on-going adulteration of edible oil. I am planning to give them a time-bound action plan for the purpose,” Singh said.

During his stay in Nagpur for the winter session of the legislature, Singh had taken the city police to task for derelection of duty. Singh had found that all the officials on control room duty were asleep.

In view of Singh’s visit to the city, a team of police officials led by Deputy Commissioners Kulwant Kumar and Sanjay Kumar had raided two clubs – Executive Club and Spark on Wednesday night.