Wheat stocks of value over Rs 82 crore destroyed due to negligence in 4 Haryana districts

By Satish Handa

The District Food and Supply Controller (DFSC) ordered investigation in the case in which wheat stocks of value worth over Rs 82 crores were destroyed  due to lack of care by the government employees, besides huge quantity of wheat was found missing from the government food stock godowns of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department in past couple of years, especially in four districts in the state: Karnal, Kurukshetra, Kaithal and Fatehabad. Information also reveals that nearly 369 bags of wheat have gone missing from the godowns. According to information, during year 2022, as a result of lack of care  by the employees nearly 6587 MT wheat stocks of value worth about Rs 12.67 crore were destroyed from the godown in Karnal district 24264 MT wheat of value worth Rs 46.71 crore. in Kurukshetra district, wheat stock of 216 MT of value worth Rs 41.58 lakh in Fatehabad and wheat stocks of 11795 MT of value worth Rs 22.70 crore in Kaithal district were destroyed in storage godowns due to lack of care.

There are other incidents in which wheat stocks were also destroyed which include 300 quintal wheat of value between 7 to 8 lakh became wet due to leakage of water in godown roof at Kunjpura and question arises why 1,15,000 bags containing wheat were kept in the godown having leakage in the roof during year 2023. During year 2020-21, nearly 30,000 quintal wheat stocks of value worth over Rs 6 crore belonging to the food and supply department for supply to Fair Price depots kept in Jundla godown was also destroyed due to lack of care by the storekeeper but no action was taken against the employee responsible for the damages.

Similarly, during the year 2021-22, nearly 11,795 MT wheat stocks of value  Rs 22.70 crore were damaged in Kaithal godown, but in-spite of the investigation by a committee led by SDM clean chit was given to the staff responsible for the loss.  Sometime ago, shortage of wheat stock in a godown at Kunjpura was reported due to becoming wet, which was investigated by DFSC Karnal, who said that those involved in the shortages of wheat stocks of value worth about Rs 1 crore made wet to increase the weight  will not be spared at any cost. According to information, embezzlements in wheat stocks of value worth Rs 1 crore and 20 lakh as well damages of wheat of value worth about Rs 1 lakh due to carelessness some time ago in Asandh godown when the  investigation was handed over to State Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) which arrested an inspector caused heavy revenue loss to government. Similarly, cases of heavy revenue loss to the government at Indri, Gharaunda and Taraori godowns in which water was poured by the staff to increase the weight for their self-vested interest by selling in the market have been detected.

As per information, during previous season 1,15,036 bags were stored at the Kunjpura godown. However, only 1,03,664 bags were lifted. The discrepancy has raised concerns about the potential mismanagement and irregularities within the department. The shortfall was detected during an inspection following a complaint. Preliminary investigation reveals that it was either misplaced or pilfered. After receiving the report of missing wheat, a team was constituted led by the AFSO. The team has been instructed to conduct an investigation and submit a report, said Anil Kalra DFSC that the case will be handed over to ACB to take criminal action against those involved in irregularities.

This article has been republished from The Financial World.