Centre looks to trim discretionary powers of FCI officials after CBI raids

Concerned by the recent raids of the Central Bureau of Intelligence on Food Corporation of India’s (FCI’s) officials, the Central government is looking at reducing the discretionary powers of the corporation’s field officers and increasing automation at various points.

 

“We are not only taking action against the erring officials but also trying to address systemic issues by reducing discretionary powers of field officers,” Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra told reporters on Thursday.

 

The whistle-blower policy of FCI is widely disseminated and publicised so that more people come forward to reveal wrong-doing, he said.

 

To ensure that field officials don’t have the powers to physically verify the quality of grains supplied to the corporation by millers and shellers, automatic grain testing machines are being set up in around 50 locations of the country.

 

“That apart, a policy is being put in place whereby if any miller brings FAQ quality grain to the depot and still feels that he is being harassed then he could go to a Quick Response Team (QRT) for redress,” the food secretary said.

 

The corporation is also developing a system by which a grain miller can verify online the space in godowns.

 

The remedial steps are being taken after the CBI last week conducted raids in around 90 locations of the country.

 

Termed “Óperation Kanak” the agency recovered cash of Rs 1.03 crore and fixed-deposit receipts of around Rs 3 crore and property documents.

 

Wheat is also called as “Kanak” locally in some parts of the northern India.

 

The CBI in its FIR alleged FCI officials connived and showed undue favour to some grain merchants, rice millers and shellers in procuring low-quality grains and sending it to different parts of the country to avoid detection.

 

It also said as part of the conspiracy, officials of FCI’s quality-control division were taking bribes from private food grain merchants and not disqualifying their sub-standard grain stocks.

 

The CBI launched the crackdown after a six-month undercover operation to identify suspects in the syndicate that included officers, rice-mill owners, and middlemen.

 

Meanwhile, the food secretary said four category one officers including a deputy general manager (DGM), along with category two and three officers, had been transferred for wrong-doing after the raids and more action was being contemplated.