Multi crore scam in CAPD in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 21: Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation (VO) has detected a multi-crore scam in the department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, a VO spokesman said.

He said the VO had registered a case against Gopal Dass Sharma, then Assistant Director (Trade&Stores) CAPD Department, Jammu, last year for possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

He said during the investigation of the case it was found that accused Sharma was indulging in corrupt practices and raised movable and immovable assets in the shape of a house, shops, gold ornaments cash and bank deposits which have been prima facie established to be disproportionate to his known source of income.

Besides other incriminating material, records of his bank transactions and cash over Rs 3.40 lakh were recovered during the search of his house.

He said a case under FIR number 14/2006 U//S 5(2) P.C Act r/w 120-B RPC was registered on June 10, 2006 about misappropriation of government rations of Jammu area under the Antyodaya Anna Yojna and Annapurna schemes during the year 2004 - 2005.

The accused Assistant Director in league with other officials of CAPD Department by manipulation of records had drawn about 95,000 quintals of rice, 13,630 quintals of wheat and 35,834 quintals of Atta under these schemes meant for weaker sections of the society against the actual requirement of 40,723 quintals of rice and 48,723 quintals of wheat.

An amount of over Rs 6 crore was initially reported to have been misappropriated by the concerned officials. However, investigation conducted so far shows that the extent of loss to the state exchequer are likely to exceed Rs 6 crore.

The investigation has further revealed that the entire quantity of food grains drawn in excess of the actual requirements under the said schemes has fraudulently and dishonestly been shown issued to various ration dealers who are either non-existent or have denied receiving any rations in excess of the actual requirements.

UNI