Punjab suspends two food inspectors for wheat pilferage

Chandigarh Aug 16 (IANS) Authorities in Punjab have placed two food inspectors under suspension and ordered a probe against them following large-scale pilferage of wheat from stored stocks.

"The Ludhiana District Food and Supplies Controller (DFSC) placed the services of food inspectors Maninder Pratap Singh and Surinderjeet Singh under suspension and subsequently charge-sheeted them with immediate effect " a spokesman of the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department said here.

The pilferage of PDS (public distribution system) wheat took place from Radha Rani Rice and General Mills Mullanpur Ludhiana.

A case has also been registered with the police following a complaint from the Ludhiana DFSC.

"These employees had been allegedly resorting to misappropriation or pilferage of wheat by taking it out from 30 kg bags and filling the same in 50 kg bags. The wheat was being made to gain moisture weight by spraying water on it " the spokesman said.

He added that corruption and misappropriation of wheat and paddy stocks would not be allowed.

The state government has decided to recover the financial loss caused due to such misconduct from the delinquent officials.

--IANS
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