11 officials sacked over wheat irregularities

Crackdown launched in Gujranwala division over alleged manipulation of records, fake documents

GUJRANWALA:

Eleven employees of the Food Department, including four Assistant Food Controllers (AFCs) and clerical staff, have been dismissed from service over alleged corruption and irregularities, while the termination of a former District Food Controller (DFC) has also been recommended.

According to Deputy Director Food Gujranwala Division Ali Imran Sahi, departmental action against employees allegedly involved in corruption had begun before the provincial government issued its latest directives on the matter.

He said that inquiries were conducted following notices issued to employees accused of allegedly manipulating wheat records, issuing wheat quotas to rice and flour mills that were not eligible for them, and preparing fake licences, stamps and signatures of senior officers.

Among those dismissed from service are Assistant Food Controllers Abubakar Raza, Babar Javed, Shafiq and Ansar Butt, along with Senior Clerks Ehsanul Haq, Waqar Ahmed and Zulfiqar Ali, Head Clerk Yasin Bajwa and Senior Clerk Atif Hussain, who was compulsorily retired from service.

The department has also recommended termination of the services of former DFC Gujranwala Muhammad Ali Shaheen.

In Gujrat, Food Inspector Huzifa Younis has also been dismissed from service, according to the official.

Ali Imran Sahi said the employees were found involved in alleged manipulation of wheat records and the use of fake stamps and licences to facilitate the allocation of wheat quotas to mills that were not entitled to receive them.

He said an Assistant Food Controller was responsible for maintaining accurate records of food grain inspectors, clerical staff and mills within the assigned area.

However, he alleged that certain officers and employees had violated these responsibilities through dishonesty and corrupt practices.

The deputy director said strict disciplinary action had been taken under the Punjab government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

He added that cases had also been registered against the owners of rice and flour mills allegedly found involved in the irregularities.