The Food and Civil Supplies Department has finally started the massive task of removing 15,000 kg of rotten grain from a sealed ration shop in Nand Nagri, East Delhi. This action comes as a huge relief to the local residents who have been living in a nightmare for the past few months. The shop, located in Block C-2/C-3, was full of decaying wheat and rice that had turned into a breeding ground for insects. After a long delay and media reports highlighting the issue, officials deployed a team on February 26 and 27 to clear the stock and sanitize the area.
Why was the grain left to rot inside the shop?
The trouble started back on November 20, 2025, when the department inspected the shop and found major discrepancies in the stock records. Thousands of kilograms of wheat and rice were missing from the books, leading to the immediate sealing of the premises. However, a major procedural lapse occurred after the sealing. According to the rules, perishable items like grain must be shifted to another functional shop immediately if a license is suspended.
Instead of moving the stock, the officials left 12,000 kg of wheat and 3,000 kg of rice locked inside the unventilated building. For nearly four months, this grain lay neglected. The lack of air and proper storage caused the entire stock to rot, resulting in a severe infestation of weevils and maggots that eventually started crawling out of the shop and into neighboring homes.
What action is being taken now?
Following a special report by Dainik Jagran on February 24, the administration finally woke up to the health hazard. Additional Commissioner Arun Kumar Jha acknowledged the negligence and ordered the immediate removal of the spoiled grain. He stated that action will be taken against the officials responsible for delaying the lifting of the stock.
As of Friday evening, February 27, the team had managed to clear approximately two-thirds of the rotten material. The department expects to finish the entire cleanup by Saturday. Workers are also spraying disinfectants to control the pest issue that has been plaguing the residents. The wasted grain, which could have fed 3,000 people for a month, is now being sent for disposal.
- Location: Block C-2/C-3, Nand Nagri, East Delhi
- Total Waste: 15,000 kg (150 Quintals)
- Sealed Since: November 20, 2025
- Cleanup Dates: February 26-28, 2026
