Bhopal, November 11 (Pervez Bari): Madhya Pradesh Warehousing Corporation’s branch manager at Pipariya in Hoshangabad district of the state has been suspended with immediate effect over negligence in safety of stored food grains.
This was ordered by the Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies Mr. Paras Chandra Jain who conducted simultaneous raids on about half a dozen godowns of Warehousing Corporation at Pipariya in Hoshangabad district on Thursday.
Some quantities of wheat stored in these godowns were found rotten. Corporation’s branch manager was suspended with immediate effect over negligence in safety of stored food grains. Show-cause notices have also been issued to senior scientist of corporation’s headquarters and regional manager asking them to reply within seven days. During raids, Warehousing Corporation Chairman Mr. Rajendra Singh Rajput and Managing Director Mr. J.T. Ekka were also present.
A tip-off was received in this connection by the Minister of State Mr. Jain on Wednesday. Cancelling all other of his programmes, he rushed to Bhopal this morning from where he left for Pipariya, where simultaneous raids were conducted on six godowns of Warehousing Corporation. Mr. Jain himself examined wheat stored in the godowns. Wheat stacked in some gunny bags was found to be rotten and negligence in storage method was also detected.
Noose tightened on three officers
On the instructions of Minister of State Mr. Jain, manager of Pipariya branch of Warehousing Corporation Mr. S.K. Bhargava was suspended on the spot. Instructions for initiating departmental enquiry against him have also been given. Besides, show-cause notices have been issued to Corporation headquarters’ senior scientist Mr. Sanjiv Tomar and Regional Manager Mr. R.S. Tiwari asking them to reply within seven days.
Only good quality of wheat to be lifted from godowns
Minister of State Mr. Jain instructed to lift good quality of wheat immediately from these godowns so that it can be saved. He also issued instructions to undertake intensive inspection of Warehousing Corporation’s godowns at other places in the state. These inspections will be undertaken by concerning branch managers under the monitoring of Corporation’s Managing Director Mr. J. T. Ekka. Its report will be forwarded to the Minister of State. Mr. Jain has said that negligence in safe storage of food grains under public distribution system will not be tolerated at any level.(pervezbari@eth.net)