In a glaring case of negligence, wheat worth crores has been found infested with pests in two godowns operated by HAFED (Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation) in Karnal district. The discovery has triggered a serious response from senior officials, with a six-member fact-finding committee being constituted to assess the extent of the damage and identify those responsible.

Taking prompt cognisance of the issue, HAFED Managing Director Mukul Kumar has sought a detailed report on the matter. “I have asked the DM of Karnal for a detailed report. Strict action will be taken accordingly. Negligence at any level will not be tolerated,” said Mukul Kumar.

According to sources, HAFED had allocated nearly 8 lakh wheat bags for storage to a private firm across five godowns situated in Newal, Assandh, Manchuri, Nissing, and Nilokheri. During an inspection of the Assandh and Newal godowns, officials discovered large stocks of wheat heavily infested with pests. The damage has reportedly affected the weight and quality of the grain, leading to substantial financial losses.

DM HAFED Karnal, Udham Singh, who is heading the six-member probe team, said, “We will begin inspections from Thursday and submit our report to the higher authorities.” He admitted that HAFED officials were also responsible for regular inspections and monitoring of the storage sites. “It was the duty of HAFED officials to check the godowns at regular intervals,” he added.

Local residents have also raised concerns, blaming poor maintenance and a lack of accountability for the spoilage. They demanded transparency in food grain storage management, stressing that wheat meant for the public distribution system had been left exposed to damp and unhygienic conditions, resulting in avoidable losses.