The Vigilance police on Saturday conducted raids on the Markfed office in Kendrapada and Bhubaneswar on the allegation of corruption and irregularities in paddy procurement in the State in 2015-16.
Surprise checks were conducted at Markfed Kendrapara unit and residential house of Markfed Senior Assistant Manoranjan Biswal it was ascertained that the organisations office at Kendrapada has been winded up and all the relevant documents were kept in the house of Biswal.
It was ascertained that Biswal had purchased paddy from some of the farmers without verifying their land details, registration with the PACS, SCS and eligibility to sale paddy in violation of Government guidelines issued regarding food and procurement policy.
During the period from March 16 to 3o, 2016, Biswal falsely showed purchase of 21,000 quintals of paddy from different farmers against actual purchase of 13,783.66 quintals, although payment has been made for 13,783.66 quintals.
Due to such irregularities, procurement of paddy in Kendrapara district was discontinued and Biswal was suspended by the department. As such, it is suspected that during KMS 2015-16, illegal purchase of paddy has been done from non-registered farmers and middlemen. The involvement of other officers of Markfed may not be ruled out. The matter is under investigation by Vigilance.