NEW DELHI – Indian Parliament committee has expressed concern over thequality of food served to the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans.

Recently, reports of the poor quality of food served to BSF personnel wentviral on social media.

The committee also ticked off the ministry and paramilitary representativesfor not giving satisfactory answers to its queries.

The committee believes that providing good-quality food to paramilitarypersonnel is not only necessary to keep them healthy and fit but also, forboosting their morale.

The panel recommended that a mechanism be put in place where food for thejawans could be tested at source.

The food should be tested and certified in respect of nutritional value andhygiene and labelled as fit for consumption. Packaged food should be servedin places where cooking is difficult.

The committee also suggested that the Defence Research and DevelopmentOrganisation (DRDO) could be roped in.

The agency has a specialised wing, Defence Food Research Laboratory, thatdoes cutting-edge research on product development.

The Committee on Estimates suggested that the rationing allowance paid toBSF jawans be made non-taxable. At present the allowance is taxable.