Jajpur: In the wake of allegations of a Rs 4 crore loss by district supply officials by showing undue favour to millers, the deputy secretary, state food supplies and consumer welfare department has issued a notice to the assistant civil supply officer (ACSO) and the marketing inspector to appear in person in his office for a probe June 24.
ACSO Prahallad Chandra Sethy and MI Biswajit Mishra have been asked to bring relevant documents with them and be present in the office of the deputy secretary by 11 am June 24. However, no notice has been issued to civil supply officer Kushal Majhi who may be called for a probe at a later date.
The state food supplies and consumer welfare department framed a charge-sheet against the CSO, ACSO and the MI for incurring a loss of Rs 4 crore by showing undue favour to rice millers during 2015-16 paddy procurement season.
These officials allegedly connived with each other and waived of Rs 6 core security deposit to six rice millers. Among the six mills, Sabitri Industries got the highest waiver of Rs 3.34 crore and the creditor auctioned its properties.
After reports surfaced the state food supplies and consumer welfare department framed charge-sheet against the CSO Majhi, ACSO who doubled up as an authorized officer for Mahabali rice mill and marketing inspector Mishra on charge of negligence and connivance.
Managing director of Orissa state civil supply corporation Niranjan Nayak asked these errant officials to send their replies within 30 days. Their charge-sheet claimed that they violated clause-16 of the Orissa Government Employees Act. Majhi had joined as CSO, Jajpur December 5, 2015.
The officials were required to provide paddy to rice mills on the basis of their milling capacity and security deposits which they failed to ensure. Moreover, they failed to supervise the milling and delivery of rice in regular intervals.
When contacted, ACSO Sethy said he will file his reply. PNN
