‘Illegal’ purchase at Gheer centre, all staff replaced

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 14

Taking serious note of the alleged malpractices in the paddy procurement at the Gheer purchase centre, the district administration has replaced all staff members, including those of both the agencies — DFSC and Hafed — and the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB).

Besides, the authorities have stopped the delivery of paddy under the custom milled rice (CMR) to nine millers whose paddy stock was found to be short in comparison to the record.

Zonal Administrator (ZA) Gagandeep Singh found several discrepancies in paddy purchase at the Gheer centre as “fake” gate passes were allegedly issued to adjust the “illegal” procurement of around 24,564 quintal of grain.

On the directions of DC Nishant Kumar Yadav, the Kunjpura police have already registered a case under Sections 120B, 409, 420 and 467 of the IPC against four employees of the HSAMB, including mandi supervisor, auction recorder, two computer operators and 28 arthiyas.

“As per the report submitted by the ZA, the arthiyas in connivance with the staff members of the purchase centre had procured paddy from other places in violation to the procurement norms,” the DC said. “After the registration of the FIR, we have replaced all staff members, including those of both the agencies Food and Civil Supplies and Hafed along with the HSAMB,” he added.

Moreover, due to mismatched stock and procurement records, notices have been issued to 18 arhtiyas. “We have stopped the paddy delivery under the CMR to nine rice millers after finding irregularities in their records.”