Dept inquiry into MPSFDC seed scam

Bhopal, June 4 (UNI) A departmental inquiry has been ordered into the Rs 5-6 crore seed scam in the Madhya Pradesh State Seed and Farm Development Corporation (MPSFDC) during the Congress regime in 2000-01.

State Agriculture Minister Choudhary Chandrabhan Singh told UNI here that preliminary investigation was carried out by an officer of additional controller level.

He said the responsibility of detailed inquiry had been given to MPSFDC Managing Director Prabhakar Bansod, who will submit his report within a month.

Mr Singh said seeds worth Rs 5-6 crore were given to farmers on credit in 2000-01 during the tenure of the then Agriculture Minister Mahendra Singh Kalukheda. However, there was no such provision under the MPSFDC.

He said the scam came to light when MPSFDC Chairman M S Yadav saw old records after the BJP came into power.

The Minister added that if required, after Mr Bansod's report, the case can be given to the Economic Offences Wing or the Lokayukta or any other investigating agency.

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