Markfed staffers ‘embezzle’ Rs1.25 cr

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 21

Markfed staffers have committed embezzlement to the tune of Rs1.25 crore by diverting subsidised cattle feed meant for cooperative societies from its godowns after generating fictitious bills against accounts of cooperative societies.

After the scam came to light in Mukerian and Tanda branches (both in Hoshiarpur district) of the Asia’s largest marketing cooperative federation, the management has recommended registration of FIR against the accused officers and employees of both branches.

Probe conducted into the scam found that cattle feed worth Rs82.95 lakh was diverted after generating fake bills against just one society within a gap of just a day.

“Physical verification conducted by a team of Markfed headquarters in Chandigarh and district officials found that 12,635 bags (Rs960 per bag) of cattle feed were found missing from the Mukerian branch office in the stock meant for October last year. Of this, 9,500 bags were shown supplied to Dugri Rajputaan Cooperative Society. However, the bills were found fake. The society’s office-bearers also denied purchasing stock from Markfed,” reads the communication sent by Markfed officials to Hoshiapur Senior Superintendent of Police.

The probe found that the total stock worth Rs1.21 crore was found missing in the Mukerian branch. “As accused deposited Rs37.97 lakh, embezzled amount stands at Rs83.99 lakh,” Markefed conveyed to the police.

The probe found that the modus operandi was similar in the Tanda branch, where cattle feed worth Rs31.39 lakh was taken out of Markfed godowns after generating fake bills against Cooperative Marketing Society (CMS), Tanda.

“In all, 5,140 bags of cattle feed were found missing. Of which 3,750 were shown supplied to Tanda CMS, whose officials denied any such purchase. A total of Rs39.97 lakh was embezzled,” the note reads.

Sources said Markfed had shifted four employees (two each at Mukerian and Tanda).

Markfed MD Gurkirat Kirpal Singh confirmed that the management recommended registration of criminal case against the erring employees.