-SATISH HANDA
Karnal (Satish Handa):Physical checking of rice stocks in over 80 rice mills in Karnal district in Haryana state by seven teams has been completed in which rice stocks of government agencies were found short in as many as 57 rice mills since the owners of these rice mills had sold out custom milling rice stocks after milling paddy supplied by the government agencies at higher rates during lock down period and now started procuring cheap quality PDS rice from Bihar and U.P to fill up shortage of rice stocks sold by them at higher rates. The scam exposed when SDM Karnal caught two truck loads carrying cheap quality rice brought from U.P outside two rice mills and FIRs were registered against these rice mills. Deputy Commissioner Karnal Nishant Yadav ordered investigation into the matter by Nishant Rathee District Food Supply Controller.
Investigation report revealed, lesser quantity of rice stock was recovered in 45 rice mills and lesser quantity of paddy stock was recovered in 12 rice mills when Additional Chief Secretary Food & Supply Department Haryana P.K. Das on getting report ordered very stern action against all those rice millers involved in fraud. According to Nishant Yadav DC Karnal, properties of 16 millers has been attached, properties of another five rice millers has been impounded, one rice mills was locked after sealing and FIRs has been lodged against the owners of two rice mills caught red handed by Ashok Bansal ADC Karnal while unloading cheap quality rice brought from U.P and Bihar. Information reveals that most of the rice millers facing arrests by the police have started efforts for a shelter by political leaders as well as influential persons to avoid action against them.
Information reveals, Dharti Putar Rice Mills at Taraori in Karnal district involved in fraud was sealed by the government because properties of this rice mill were already attached by the government in view of recovery of amount worth Rs 6.5 crore, whereas another rice miller refused to physically verification of stocks in the mill was locked. Nishant Yadav DC warned that every amount will be recovered from defaulter rice millers along with amount of interest.
