Gill Saab
Yaar Malang
The Moga police recovered 500 bags of wheat, that were being carried in five canters for illegal sale in the open market, last night. The wheat was meant for the Above Poverty Line (APL) families and was to be distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) to them.
As per the details available, the SHO of Mehna police station Mohan Dass, SHO of Dharamkot police station Satish Kumar and in charge of the Kishanpura police post Jarnail Singh, based on information set up a joint “naka” near Mehna village, last night.
They intercepted five canters, in which 100 bags of wheat each were found being taken away for illegal sale in the open market. A total of 500 bags (250 quintals) of wheat was recovered from these vehicles. Three ration depot holders who were also travelling along with the canters too were arrested from the spot. A criminal case had been registered against them.
The depot holders arrested by the police have been identified as Sandip Kumar, Jugraj Singh of Raoke Kalan village and Kuldip Singh of Minia village. A local court had today sent them to police remand for a couple of days for further investigations. During preliminary investigations, it has come to light that this wheat was being brought from a storehouse hired by the government in a rice mill at Nihal Singh Wala in this district.
It may be mentioned that the PDS wheat meant for sale to the APL families is provided at the rate of Rs 781 per quintal to the depot holders, who sell it to the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 806 per quintal. But, in the open market it could be easily sold between Rs 1000 and Rs 1100 per quintal, depending upon its quality. Depot holders too sell it illegally for profits.
A senior police official of the district, while admitting that this practice of the illegal sale of PDS wheat and kerosene remained unchecked, did not rule out the possibility of a nexus between officials the Food and Civil Supplies Department and the depot holders in this racket. “We are looking into every aspect of this case of fraud and if any evidence of the involvement of an official of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, is found, legal action will be taken accordingly”, he added.
As per the details available, the SHO of Mehna police station Mohan Dass, SHO of Dharamkot police station Satish Kumar and in charge of the Kishanpura police post Jarnail Singh, based on information set up a joint “naka” near Mehna village, last night.
They intercepted five canters, in which 100 bags of wheat each were found being taken away for illegal sale in the open market. A total of 500 bags (250 quintals) of wheat was recovered from these vehicles. Three ration depot holders who were also travelling along with the canters too were arrested from the spot. A criminal case had been registered against them.
The depot holders arrested by the police have been identified as Sandip Kumar, Jugraj Singh of Raoke Kalan village and Kuldip Singh of Minia village. A local court had today sent them to police remand for a couple of days for further investigations. During preliminary investigations, it has come to light that this wheat was being brought from a storehouse hired by the government in a rice mill at Nihal Singh Wala in this district.
It may be mentioned that the PDS wheat meant for sale to the APL families is provided at the rate of Rs 781 per quintal to the depot holders, who sell it to the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 806 per quintal. But, in the open market it could be easily sold between Rs 1000 and Rs 1100 per quintal, depending upon its quality. Depot holders too sell it illegally for profits.
A senior police official of the district, while admitting that this practice of the illegal sale of PDS wheat and kerosene remained unchecked, did not rule out the possibility of a nexus between officials the Food and Civil Supplies Department and the depot holders in this racket. “We are looking into every aspect of this case of fraud and if any evidence of the involvement of an official of the Food and Civil Supplies Department, is found, legal action will be taken accordingly”, he added.
