Haryana Vigilance to probe scam in HSDC during Khemka’s tenure

The state government received a letter alleging certain financial irregularities in the purchase of Summer Moong seeds during Khemka’s tenure. The complaint alleged that the HSDC floated open tenders instead of buying the seed from government agencies. The CMO sought comments on this from the Agriculture Secretary Roshan Lal. After conducting a preliminary enquiry Roshan Lal submitted a report to the Agriculture Minister Paramvir Singh,who recommended a vigilance probe into the matter.

The Haryana Chief Secretary,P K Chaudhery,sought Khemka’s comments on July 11. In his reply on July 18,Khemka mentioned that “the government must realise he had managed to save at least Rs. 30 lakh by floating a short-term tender for purchase of summer Moong.

However,his orders were not followed by the then Chief Manager,Production,who advertised a limited tender calling for rates from government/ multi-state cooperative agencies.

The Agriculture Department had fixed a rate of Rs. 8,800 per quintal pre-subsidy for the sale of summer moong seeds from HSDC’s sale outlets after adding a margin of Rs. 400 per quintal towards HSDC commission charges. Meanwhile,Khemka busted the wheat-seed scam in HSDC and complained to the CBI. Since the sowing month of summer moong seeds was March and HSDC employees’ union were demanding that the order of purchase should not be lost,short-term tenders were floated by HSDC.

“The committee finalised the lower rate of Rs. 8,100 per quintal for a quantity of 4,300 quintals (later increased to 10,000 quintals) with a private party. This translated to a net savings of Rs. 30 lakhs in comparison to the earlier rate of Rs. 8,400 per quintal,which was approved by the Agriculture Department,” Khemka’s replied.

“The vigilance probe has been marked to ascertain the facts,not harass anybody,” a senior Haryana government officer said.