Ration ‘scam’ in CAPD dept
Days after Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department attached its two officials for their alleged involvement in a ration scam in Kupwara district, an alleged nexus between the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and CAPD officials has come to the fore, sources told .
Police on June 24 this year raided a godown in Kupwara and seized a truck (JK09-3176) found carrying less weight of food grains than allocated.
The driver and the truck were released later.
Sources said it has come to the fore during investigations that officials of FCI and CAPD are in nexus and selling food grains in black market after sending less quantity of grains to consumers. “It is a big scam where crores of rupees are earned by illegal means,” they added.
“Around 5 kg rice is being taken out from 50 kg bag. In a day, about 45 trucks of rice are unloaded in each godown. Thus, from 1000 rice bags, 5 ton rice is being sold in black market,” they added.
FCI Area Manager refuted the allegations, saying the job of FCI is only to supply food grains to CAPD. “If a consumer finds 45 kg rice in bag instead of 50 kg, it could be an error of CAPD. We don’t supply them (CAPD) rice as per weight of a bag but truck,” he informed.
Asked whether the weight of rice bag could get lesser during loading and unloading, he said: “That is not admissible. We receive tons of rice each day. That doesn’t mean during loading and unloading we will lose three ton rice.”
Sources said officials at CAPD are also making false bills on loading and unloading of trucks.
Sources said officials at godowns are charging Rs 50 as entry fee from truck drivers while Rs 1200 are charged as unloading fee.
Officials also charge Rs 200 from a truck driver for putting it at Weight Bridge, which, otherwise is no rule.
As police has taken cognizance of Kupwara scam, consumers say they are watching the outcome of the police investigation.
Superintendent of Police Kupwara, Aijaz Ahmad said that no FIR has been registered in the matter. “Preliminary investigation suggests some food grains reduce from original weight during loading and unloading of trucks. However, further investigation is going on,” he added.
Meanwhile, consumers appealed Director General of Police to personally intervene in the matter to unveil the truth.
Director CAPD couldn’t be contacted for comments.
