Irregularities in weighing through a weighbridge managed by the Odisha Civil Supplies Corporation have come to the fore.
At present, the PDS rice loaded in trucks is sent outside after measuring in the weighbridge. But the measuring system is full of faults.
A godown of district Civil Supplies Corporation and rice collection centre is operating near Bombay Chowk, which was earlier functioning as a godown of Food Corporation of India. Now the Corporation is using the godownon rent basis. The godown is now filled with rice besides those returned by millers and custom milling rice. Rice is despatched from the godown to Panchayats from where it is distributed to beneficiaries under various Government schemes.
The Corporation has appointed transporters for transportation of rice to all the five blocks and three municipal councils of the district. All the vehicles loaded with rice are measured in this weighbridge before leaving for their destinations.
One electric machine is available for weighing the rice with the vehicle. Interestingly, no printed receipts are generated for weighing of rice in the weighbridge. Later, a typed copy of the measurement is given to the driver of the vehicle by the staff along with gate pass. This appears to be a great deviation from the accepted principle in operation everywhere. There should be a high level inquiry in the matter.
When asked about such irregularities, Procurement Inspector (PI) Lingaraj Sahoo said that while the godown and weighbridge belong to the FCI, the work is being carried out as per the existing arrangements. Although the department has informed the FCI authorities for a totally computerised weighbridge, no action has been taken till date. But, now whether any irregularities are done in the existing arrangements remain to be verified by the authorities.”
Transporters have also raised objections on the present system. But, no action is forthcoming. Another aspect to be verified is that the rice on receipt at the end point is not measured so as to verify the correctness of the quantity measured and received by the officers. The correct picture will be known after proper investigation in the matter.
