Food Dept caught with its hand in wheat sack

Officials dismissed as probe into 'multibillion-rupee' wheat stock embezzlement widens

KARACHI:

The Sindh Food Department has launched a sweeping crackdown after a massive wheat scandal exposed alleged corruption, embezzlement, and stock mismanagement worth billions of rupees, triggering dismissals, recovery orders, and impending criminal action against officials accused of causing huge losses to the national exchequer.

According to official sources, several officers have been dismissed from service, while final show-cause notices have been issued to multiple officials during the crackdown launched on the directives of Provicnial Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman. Authorities have also been directed to initiate criminal proceedings and ensure recovery of public funds from those found responsible.

Acting under the Sindh Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 1973, the department has taken disciplinary action against food inspectors and supervisory staff posted in various districts.

Food Inspector Amanullah Magsi of Qambar Shahdadkot was dismissed over allegations of misappropriation and shortage of 65,393 wheat bags100kg each during the 2022-23 procurement season at WPC Qubo Saeed Khan. Officials said the total financial loss in the case amounts to Rs867.111 million, while markup of Rs327.985 million raises the total liability to over Rs1.195 billion. Recovery proceedings have been ordered under relevant revenue laws.

In another case, Food Supervisor and Incharge PRC Jacobabad, Zeeshan Ali Magsi, was dismissed after discrepancies were detected in 37,207 wheat bags and contamination was found in 17,533 bags, including dust and substandard grain. The total loss in this case has been estimated at Rs596.200 million. Authorities have also been directed to initiate recovery and register criminal cases against those involved.

Similarly, Food Inspector Zahid Ahmed Brohi, Incharge PRC Kandhkot, was removed from service over serious allegations of shortage and misappropriation of 188,406 wheat bags (10,300.447 metric tons) during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. The total financial implication of the case has been estimated at over Rs2.099 billion, including principal amount and markup. Officials have been directed to initiate legal proceedings and recover the losses.

Meanwhile, the department has intensified action in Naushahro Feroze, issuing final show-cause notices to several officials over alleged irregularities in wheat stock management. PRC Daur Belo Incharge Murtaza Unar has been served notice over a shortage of 39,550 wheat bags, while PRC Moro Incharge Food Inspector Imdad Ali Magsi has been issued notice for a shortage of 6,194 bags.

Show-cause notices have also been issued to Food Supervisor Nabe Bakhsh Laghari, Incharge WPC Lakha Road and Kotri Kabir, where shortages of 5,376 and 5,154 wheat bags were reported respectively, which officials termed serious negligence and loss to the public exchequer.

Further notices have been issued to Food Inspector Babar Ali Rajpar (PRC Pabedan), Allah Dino Memon (WPC Norpur), and Food Supervisor Nabe Bakhsh Laghari (PRC Mehrabpur) in Naushahro Feroze district.

The department said initial replies submitted by the officials were found unsatisfactory and lacking evidence in defence of the allegations. They have been given seven days to respond, failing which ex-parte action will be taken.

Food Minister Mehboob-uz-Zaman said there is no room for corruption, embezzlement, or misuse of public funds in the department. He added that indiscriminate action is being taken against all those involved in wrongdoing.

The minister further stated that every rupee of public loss will be recovered, and action will not be limited to dismissal from service but will also include criminal proceedings to ensure accountability and recovery of funds.