Wheat procurement: Five suspended over misappropriation

DCO takes action over farmers’ complaints.

BAHAWALPUR:

District coordination officer (DCO) on Wednesday ordered registration of an FIR against coordinators of two wheat procurement centres after he found irregularities in their work and misuse of authority.

DCO Dr Naeem Rauf paid a surprise visit to Kudwala and Head Rajkan wheat procurement centres and heard farmers’ complaints. The farmers complained about unfair distribution of the gunny bags and lack of facilities promised by the government. When the DCO checked the record, he found irregularities blamed on Head Rajkan Centre Coordinator Rashid Sarwar, Kudwala Centre Coordinator Allah Rakha, Food Inspectors Munir Hussain and Tauqeer Hussain and a patwari. He then issued suspension orders of these officials and directed the police to register cases against the two coordinators.

Later, the DCO said that neither professional negligence nor misuse of authority would be tolerated. He said immediate action will be taken against those found guilty.

He said the famers will be provided all the facilities they needed. He directed the Revenue Department and Food Department staff to ensure transparency in the distribution of gunny bags.

Also on Wednesday, Khairpur Tamewali police registered a case against one Allah Ditta, a resident of Goth Shah, for failing to explain how he had managed to acquire 290 gunny bags.

Allah Ditta told police that he had got the gunny bags from the Israni wheat Procurement Centre. However, the food inspector registered a theft FIR against him under the Food Control Act.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2012.