Three employees ‘misappropriate’ over 600 quintals of rice

SRINAGAR — The Crime Branch on Friday said that at least three officials of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCSCA) have allegedly misappropriated over 600 quintals, leading to a loss of over nine lakh to the public exchequer.

In a statement issued here, the CB officials said, “Consequent upon the reception of a written communication from the Directorate of Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs wherein it was communicated that there are inputs about misappropriation of food grain stock at Hygam granary and Baramulla–D circle, Crime Branch Kashmir and Directorate of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs conducted a joint surprise check of the above mentioned granary and offices on 08.03.2020.”

“During the joint surprise check, dispatch records pertaining to TSO PEG Baramulla, TSO Hygam, TSO Baramulla-D circle offices were examined. Prima facie, among other things, it was revealed that 7 truckloads of rice have been shown dispatched from Private Enterprise Go-down (PEG) Baramulla and received by TSO Hygam,” the statement reads.

It added that further enquiry revealed that only the challans pertaining to the transfer of grains have been prepared and no such transfer took place. In this way, 633 quintals of rice have been misappropriated, leading to a loss of Rs 949,710 to the public exchequer.

“Prima facie the involvement of the following officials has surfaced: TSO PEG Baramulla Sirajudin Bhat, TSO Hygam granary Mohammad Hussain Bhat and Assistant Director FCS&CA Baramulla Mushtaq Ahmad Wani,” it said.

The statement also said that this racket was being actively coordinated by Mohammad Sultan Wani, Assistant Store Keeper, Palhalan Pattan.

Further enquiry into the matter has been taken up, the statement added.