Punjab: 2 Food Dept employees suspended after 16,000 wheat bags found missing at farm

Two employees of the District Food and Civil Supplies Department have been suspended in connection with a case involving an alleged shortage of government wheat stored at a private farm in Sarmastpur village. The action was taken after officials detected a shortage of around 16,000 wheat bags during verification at JS Farm, owned by Upkar Singh Hothi.

Officials said routine inspections of government wheat stocks for the 2025-26 season were being conducted across the district. However, suspicion arose when the farm owner allegedly refused entry to inspection teams, preventing them from verifying the stock. District Food and Civil Supplies Controller (DFSC) Narinder Kumar said an inquiry into the matter is underway.

“Being custodians of the stock, the employees had the responsibility to safeguard the crop. The inquiry is in progress,” he said. The rural police had also registered an FIR against the owner of the farm after receiving a complaint from the District Food and Civil Supplies Department.

This article has been republished from The Tribune.