Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, June 15
Two Markfed officials were dismissed from service following embezzlement in wheat stock and other discrepancies that surfaced after a physical verification of the stock at the branch office in Guruharsahai.
The accused have been identified as Lovepreet Singh, Field Officer (Preservation), and Surinder Kumar, Field Officer (General), both posted at Guruharsahai. They allegedly siphoned off 23,932 wheat bags and other material (including both edible and non-edible products). Out of these, 19,287 wheat bags were found missing during the physical verification of stock conducted by a team constituted by the District Manager, Ferozepur, for the 2021-22 financial year.
After this shortage came into notice, another team comprising Technical Officers Sudhir Kumar, Manpreet Singh and Ramakant Singla and Navdeep Singh from the office of Chief Internal Auditor, Markfed, Chandigarh, was deputed to conduct physical verification of stock in Guruharsahai. They were told to take action as per the standard operating procedure.
Later, the District Manager, Markfed, also lodged a complaint in this regard to the SSP, Ferozepur, demanding registration of FIR against both officials, who by this time had reportedly gone underground. Sources said the issue of the missing stock was being concealed for the last few years despite the fact that it had been reported in the annual physical verification. It also came to fore that no proper stock register or record was being maintained by the branch.
In total, 19,659 wheat bags of 2021-22 and another 4,273 bags wheat bags of 2022-23, valued at Rs 3,11,27,926, were found missing besides other products, causing a huge loss to the department.
Taking cognisance of the matter, Ramvir, Managing Director, Markfed, dismissed the two officials who are still reportedly absconding. Ramvir said the decision had been taken under Rule 12 (II),(III) and 6(B) of Markfed Punishment and Appeal Rules, 1990. He said any dues, if payable to the two dismissed officials, will be calculated after deduction of an amount of Rs 3,11,27,926 along with interest, besides the amount of loss to be ascertained on account of embezzlement of other products. He said legal proceedings would also be initiated against them.
Accused absconding
The accused, who are absconding, allegedly siphoned off 23,932 wheat bags and other products (both edible and non-edible). The District Manager, Markfed, has lodged a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur
Rs 3.11 cr wheat bags embezzled in Guruharsahai, two Markfed officials dismissed
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