If not for any good news, at least in respect of rampant irregularities of different hues periodically infesting Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, this department makes headlines of the papers. Audit Reports for years together continue to remain un-responded let alone action taken on them. Norms and guidelines set by the Government from time to time continue to be violated brazenly in this department. There appears to be a well organised nexus between the ‘beneficiaries’ and the delinquent officials of this important department, the latest instance of which in the form of a network between millers and the officials of the Department has come into the limelight. It is surprising as to how more than 1.20 lakh quintal of wheat over and above the limit has been issued to empanelled mills in Jammu region alone. It is equally intriguing as to why a recovery of over Rs.50 crore from these millers has not been made by the concerned department. Tendering process which is an established practice has been thrown to winds with impunity. Who are behind causing losses to the public exchequer and should immediately be identified in the department concerned and subjected to justice.
Has the nexus between the officials of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS & CA) and the millers attained the status of impregnability and impenetrability that the administration seems sort of undone and helpless in tackling the issue effectively. Why has the successive Governments not put their “foot” down resolutely in going in for fresh tenders for allotment of grinding work to millers.
With whose authority bypassing the established rules has been continuously allowed in this department by granting extensions, on back to back basis, to the blue eyed millers and not going in for tenders for years together and escaped the vigil of the annual compulsory auditing . Who has allowed to stop yearly tendering and allowed hotchpotch and messing of things to facilitate operating of the nexus to its sweet will and with impunity? This department has prevented unauthorised(ly) opportunities to other millers to work for the department even on better terms, the trend of which was set and blessings given by successive Governments. Many mills are “blessed” with excess quotas of food grains for milling than the prescribed quota as per even the stale agreement.
Does this department, therefore, not need establishment of an effective permanent Concurrent Audit System as an integral part of the entire Department to serve as invigilators of the goings on in this Department ? That system could enforce financial discipline as per rules on routine basis and subject all matters concerning money decisions to austere verification and clearance strictly in accordance with the set procedures and guidelines and Financial Code Books. Irregular practices with an eye on illegal harvests of considerations of different hues can be effectively checked by verification, pruning and filtering of financial related matters in a department of such a vast size by only a strong professional and effective concurrent audit. In the meantime, let it be seen how fast the Government acts in stemming the rut rotting this department.
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