Food dept hit by Rs2.6b wheat scam clean-up

Food minister dismisses five officials after inquiry finds illegal sale of stocks, fake dispatch records

HYDERABAD:

A major corruption scandal has surfaced within the Sindh Food Department after Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman on Saturday dismissed five officials and ordered the recovery of Rs2.62 billion allegedly embezzled through the unlawful sale of government wheat stocks.

The minister also referred the cases to the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment for further investigation and directed senior departmental officers to initiate legal proceedings against the dismissed officials in court.

Those removed from service include Balkh Sher Shaikh, a food inspector from Kashmore-Kandhkot; Habibullah Abro, a supervisor posted in Badin; Ali Ashghar Panhwar, a supervisor in Dadu; Deedar Hussain Magsi, a supervisor in Benazirabad; and Muhammad Ali Magsi, a food inspector in Hyderabad.

According to findings of a departmental inquiry, the officials were found guilty of illegally selling wheat procured from farmers, adulteration of wheat stocks, irregular procurement of jute and polypropylene (PP) bags, and fabrication of dispatch records.

Shaikh has been held responsible for the misappropriation of 9,913 tons of wheat, amounting to Rs780.36 million. Deedar Magsi was found responsible for creating a shortage of 102,863 PP bags and preparing fake dispatch documents, resulting in a loss of Rs1.19 billion.

Panhwar is accused of embezzling Rs380.22 million through the misappropriation of 28,375 tons of wheat, while Abro allegedly caused a loss of Rs80.79 million through shortages of jute and PP bags. Recovery of Rs200.83 million has also been ordered from Muhammad Ali Magsi.

Officials said Habibullah Abro was responsible for shortages of 387 jute and 4,289 PP bags, contributing to large-scale financial losses to the provincial exchequer.

The food minister said wheat stored in government warehouses is held in public trust and warned that any corruption in its handling would not be tolerated.