Multi-crore Kerosene oil scam busted in Punjab

Chandigarh, Sept 7 (UNI) Tightening the enforcement machinery of Public Distribution System, Punjab Food and Supplies Department busted multi-crore kerosene oil scam in border areas of Punjab in two day long raids in Amritsar district.

According to an official spokesman the team of Food and Supplies Department led by Food Director S P Singh raided two wholesale dealers getting substantial quota of kerosene in Amritsar district namely Vidhya Dhar and Sons and Satgur Oils, and ration depots attached with these two dealers. The team detected the diversion of entire quota of kerosene oil in the open market.

The spokesman said that during the raids and inspection of records of these dealers it was found that these dealers were adopting a novel modus operandi for diversion of kerosene oil running into crores of rupees. He said that according to the modus operandi, wholesale dealers would get the various ration depots of their area suspended and get the quota of those suspended depots attached with favourite ration depots. Then wholesale dealers and the favourite ration depots would divert the entire quota of subsidised kerosene in open market.

The spokesman said that during the inspection it was found that these two wholesale dealers during last five months have diverted 2,18,000 liters of kerosene oil in the open market pocketing Rs 22 lakh of illegal profit besides denying kerosene supply to actual beneficiaries. The subsidised rate of kerosene is Rs 9.40 per liter while it is sold in the open market at Rs 22 per liter.

The spokesman said that Director Food during verification of stock and records found that the kerosene oil was being issued to fictitious depot holders without the signatures and on forged signatures of actual depot holders. The sale and stock registers entries were also not tallying, the spokesman added.

Keeping in view the seriousness of the scam, concerned Area Inspector of the Food and Supplies Department has been placed under suspension. The Department has initiated action against two wholesale dealers under Section 9 of Punjab Light Diesel and Licensing Order, 1978 and Section 7 of Essential Commodities Act 1955. The defaulter ration depots have also been suspended.

The spokesman said that the state government was committed to strengthening the enforcement machinery of Food and Supply Department to check diversion of subsidised ration goods in open market.

UNI