The Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) department took the decision to keep corruption out of the ranks, with several food inspectors and LHAs reported to be collecting `hafta' in the name of samples from traders.WIth only the PFA director authorised to order sample collection, it has become difficult to collect adulterated mustard oil samples.

So far, the PFA has collected only 299 samples of mustard oil, while it is feared that adulterated mustard oil can be found at 2,00,000 food outlets in Delhi. The Delhi Government's Health department is hoping that persons running these outlets will themselves come forward for the mustard oil test.

The power to collect samples and carry out investigation was first vested in 36 FIs in 1976, when the department wasset up. When complaints of corruption started pouring in, the power was transferred to four LHAs in 1984. When they too were charged with colluding with traders, the powers were vested in the director, PFA, in 1997.

The earliest office order seeking to rein in the FIs was issued on August 3, 1984, by the then PFA director D S Negi. ``Each food inspector will strictly follow the directions and instruction of the Local Heath Authorities and under no circumstances should they use their own discretion in lifting the samples or try to communicate with the vendor directly,'' the order says. The LHA, usually supervisory in nature, does not usually accompany the FIs, though they are meant to. Negi's order had also specified, ``The LHAs will be detailed by rotation. But the LHA, who will be left in the office, will go to food labs to get themselves acquainted and familiarise themselves with the process of chemical analysis of samples.'' But the procedure is seldom followed by the officials.

On June 4, 1997, jointdirector S K Saxena says in an office order, ``The matter relating to vigilance cases pending in the Anti-Corruption Branch, CBI, etc., were reviewed in the meeting with Director, PFA. In the meeting, it was observed that most of the cases have arisen because the officials of the department have chosen to contact the vendors personally and at times after office hours.'' The order categorically says, ``It is hereby directed that during enquiries/investigations, officials of the department henceforth should not visit the vendors personally.''

The order also warns, ``They should, if necessary, call the vendors in the office by issuing them notices/summons, etc. In any case, the investigations should not be conducted before or after office hours.'' On October 6, 1997, present PFA Director Ashok Bakshi took the final step, ``The field staff is directed not to visit the areas assigned to them under concerned LHAs unless specific orders are passed for any visit or raid by director, PFA, or joint Director, PFA,''the order declares. The department fears that giving a lower official a free hand would lead to ``corruption in collusion'' with traders. Senior officials say they are tired of vigilance cases against them, as pointed out in numerous intra-departmental orders. The only samples to be now lifted are on the recommendation of the director, PFA, who decides, usually from his desk, what samples are to be lifted and from where.