Police unearth ration pilferage scam in south Kashmir

Crime Branch of J&K police today claimed to have unearthed a major ration pilferage and misappropriation scam in Pulwama district of south Kashmir during surprise check and inspection of godowns and offices of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department.
"During a series of raids, it was found that rations worth crores of rupees have been black-marketed (in Pulwama district) taking undue advantage of prevailing situation in the Valley," a spokesman of the Crime Branch said.
He said the Crime Branch sleuths conducted extensive raids in Awantipora and Pulwama areas yesterday followed by inspection of records wherein it was found that ration meant for BPL ration card holders under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) has been grossly misappropriated by officials of the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department as well as dealers and operators in connivance with black-marketeers.

The inspections conducted by the Crime Branch sleuths revealed that ration distribution was made on paper but in actual no ration was distributed among the rationees in the areas, he said.
"It was found that various officials of FCS&CA Department in league with each other had misappropriated hundreds of quintals of ration showing it as being distributed among the families without any actual distribution from the depots and shops," the spokesman said adding the ration misappropriated was sold in open market at exorbitant rates in view of current situation taking undue advantage of the "artificial scarcity" of the ration created by a group of officials.

The spokesman said physical check of supplies in district granary in Pulwama in presence of Magistrates also revealed excess quantity of 45 quintals of rice against actual balance supposed to be in the godown which was stored illegally for sale in black market as a part of ongoing scam.

"The concerned officials fled from the scene sensing trouble and have been summoned to associate with the probe which is underway for the whole valley," he said.
The spokesman said the investigation team feared that there is likelihood of similar frauds being committed in other districts as well.
"An in depth investigation into the misappropriation of ration, its pilferage and black-marketing has been initiated by Crime Branch Kashmir in a time bound manner for stringent action against the black-marketeers and officials involved in the scam," he said.

He said further investigations are underway to ascertain the losses incurred to state exchequer and actual amount of pilferage enabling the agency to fix responsibility and initiate action against the culprits.