FSM stern against defaulters; orders FIR against 2 Millers, suspends 3 PUNSUP officials

Chandigarh May 16:

Coming down heavily upon the defaulters, Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, the Food and Civil Supplies Minister (FSM) Punjab ordered lodging an FIR against the 2 Millers involved in embezzlement of paddy stocks worth Rs. 12 crore and also placed 3 officials of PUNSUP under suspension for laxity in performing the duty.

In a statement, FSM said that the department will not spare anybody involved in misappropriation of national assets and any negligence on the part of the employees of the department will invite stern action.

The department placed Amritpal Singh, Distrcit Incharge, PUNSUP, Faridkot/Shri Mukatsar Sahib alongwith Hansa Singh, PDC, Faridkot and Gurdeep Singh, Inspector, Malout under suspension . The proceedings for imposing major penalties have been initiated for shortage of paddy equivalent to 96 wagons of Rice (value Rs. 7.20 Cr approx.) and 63 wagons of Rice (value Rs. 4.72 Cr approx.) detected in Everest Rice Industries, Faridkot (Owned by Sh. Malkiat Singh) and M/s Amyra Foods Pvt Ltd., Lambi, District Shri Mukatsar Sahib (Owned by Sh. Rajveer Singh and Satvir Sharma) respectively during the surprise checking of stocks done by Head Office Team under the supervision of G.M (Procurement).

For recovery of the losses, cheques of the millers have been presented to the banks for clearance. To secure the interest of PUNSUP, the process to get lien marked on the properties worth Rs. 8 crores (approx) has been initiated. Moreover, orders have been issued to lodge FIRs against both the Millers.