Misappropriation of subsidized wheat: Punjab recovers Rs206.48m from 148 flour mills

LAHORE: Taking stern action against the flours mills, Punjab government has recovered Rs 206.48 million out of Rs 261.37 million from the 148 flour mills involved in misappropriation and less grinding of the subsidized wheat, Business Recorder has learnt.

According to sources, 148 flour mills sold the subsidised wheat in the open market at a higher price in order to maximise their profits in connivance with the Food Department officials instead of providing relief to the general public.

25 District Food controllers (DFCs), 29 AFCs, 65 food grain inspectors, 16 food grain supervisors, 14 senior clerks, 6 junior clerks of Food Department Punjab were found guilty in corruption and action against them has also been started.

According to sources, the Punjab government provided wheat through Food Department to the functional flour mills across the Punjab at a subsidized rate.

The Food Department issued wheat at the rate of Rs 1200 per 40 kg to the functional flour mills. But under Ramazan package 2018, Food Department issued wheat at a subsidized rate of Rs 800 per 40 kg. The purpose was to provide flour to general public at discounted rate in Ramazan bazaars as well as in open market.

Under the package a 20 kg bag of flour was to be available in Ramazan bazaars and in the open market at the price of Rs 500 while the 10 kg flour bag was to be provided at Rs 250 under the subsidy scheme but flour mill owners did not use this facility for public benefit and sold subsidized wheat in open market on high price.

Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE), initiated an inquiry firstly in Rawalpindi region and later on in all regions of Punjab about the misappropriation of government subsidised wheat issued to the functional flour mills during Ramazan package.

It was reported that some of the mills did not grind the wheat issued under Ramazan package, and sold it in open market to earn illegal profit .Owing to the high difference in price and instead of providing relief to public; they sold the wheat in open market and misappropriated the amount with the connivance of the Food Department officers.

During the inquiry proceedings, it was found that 667 flour mills availed subsidized wheat quota across the Punjab under Ramazan package, 2018 out of which 148 flour mills were involved in misappropriation/less grinding of the subsidized wheat provided under Ramazan Package, 2018.

FIRs have been registered against delinquent flour mills and food department officers/officials in Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Gujranwala Region.

In Lahore region A, 55 flour mills availed subsidy from the government of the Punjab, out of which 7 mills misused the wheat quota and committed corruption of the amount of Rs.35.54 million.

Rs 28.65 million have been recovered and efforts to take remaining 6.89 million back are still continued in Lahore region A.

In Lahore region B, 55 flour mills availed the facility of subsidy, out of which 20 mills do corruption of the amount of Rs 18.07 million. Out of which Rs 15.42 million were recovered and efforts to take remaining 2.66 million are still continued.

In Gujranwala, 24 flour mills out of 106 mills committed crime and looted amount of Rs 34.53 million out of which Rs 34.13 million has been recovered.

In Faisalabad out of 60 flour mills 3 flour mills do corruption of Rs 5.54 million. All amounts has been recovered

In Sargodha region 8 flour mill looted Rs 8.05 million out of which Rs 7.53 million has been recovered. While in Rawalpindi Division 158 flour mills availed this opportunity, out of which 44 flour mills do corruption of Rs 100.09 million out of this big amount Rs 56.1 7 million were recovered.

Similarly, in Bahawalpur region out of 89 Flour Mills, 18 mills do corruption of Rs 39.70, which all amount was recovered.

In Sahiwal region 6 flour mills out of 25 mills do corruption of Rs 4.84 million out of which 4.34 million has been recovered In DG Khan total 37 Flour Mills availed subsidy from the government of Punjab, out of which 5 Flour Mills do corruption of RS. 1.15 million, this all amount has also been recovered by

it is pertinent to mention here that 667 Flour Mills in Punjab who got subsidy from food department, Government of the Punjab, out of which 148 Flour Mills do corruption of Rs 261.37 million, out of which 206.48 million has been recovered.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020