CBI seeks inquiry into Rs 120-crore ‘scam’ by FCI officials

In its status report,the CBI submitted “Role of owners of various rice shellers and unknown officials of the FCI is proposed to be looked into during the course of the open inquiry”.

The CBI further submitted that compensation of Rs 200 per quintal was to be awarded by the Centre “only on the basis of the certificate given by the district food and supply controller concerned and the procurement agencies of Punjab to the effect that the rice millers have actually spent the amount on the up-gradation of PAU-201 rice. An open inquiry is required for collecting documents from the agencies concerned and examining various officials of the central and the state agencies”.

The Union government sanctioned Rs 190 crore to compensate rice-shellers’ for up-gradation of damaged crop. The rice millers had suffered great losses due to PAU-201 crop in 2009-10.

The court was informed that rice millers and FCI officials placed PAU 201 of 2009-10 with other rice varieties produced in subsequent years to cheat the central government and dishonestly claim the amount payable under the central government scheme. The high court has asked Punjab to respond as to whether it will grant permission or will require an order from the court.

Badal asks FCI to speed up wheat procurement

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday asked the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to gear up for wheat procurement and its speedy lifting in the mandis. These directions were given by Badal in a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Office to review the status of ongoing wheat procurement arrangements during the Rabi Marketing Season 2012. Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Grewal informed Badal that about 26 lakh metric tonnes of wheat had been procured in the state and 90 per cent of which had been lifted till date. Badal also ridiculed the Centre for announcing a meager hike of Rs 800 per quintal as relief in lieu of crop damaged.