To placate the Opposition, which has been demanding a CBI inquiry in the alleged Rs 1,000 crore land scam, the State Government presented the report of Bhati commission on Tuesday. The report states that appointment of Hemant Dwivedi as chairman of Uttarakhand Seeds and Terai Development Corporation was against the law and he fleeced around Rs4.5 crore of USTDC by purchasing seeds at higher than market price and irregularities were committed in the tender process as well. Former Chief Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has outrightly rejected the report and alleged Bhati commission has submitted the report under Government pressure only.
The KR Bhati commission has made harsh comments against the then Principal Secretary to Chief Minister (PS2CM) and Forest & Rural Development Commissioner (FRDC), who approved Hemant Dwivedi appointment as Director of USTDC by removing Principal Secretary Planning because only one director out of six director appointed by the State can be appointed as chairman of USTDC and section officer, who by passed the under secretary and Deputy secretary while sending the file it to then secretary. As per the company Act-1956, and Corporation Article of Associations State Government can appoint six director and out of it one director can be appointed as chairman of USTDC.
The Commission has found that PS2CM and FRDC has taken decision on behalf of then chief minister. It has also found that the appointment of Hemant Dwivedi as chairman of USTDC was against the company act. Although the state can appoint its chairman, the person should be a Government official only.
The commission has also found irregularities in purchase of jute bags. Ten lakh Jute bags of 40 kg capacity for packaging of seeds were procured in the year 2010 at exorbitant rates of Rs37.59 per bag though for the year 2009 and 2008, the rate was Rs25.77 and Rs20.50 per bag. With this procurement USTDC received around Rsone crore loss. Irregularities were committed in the tender process also. Three other companies who participated in the process were declared technically unfit and the tender was given to M/s Kl Jute Co despite it being the only company. Rates were also not negotiated with the company.
Bhati commission has also found irregularities in purchase of seeds from private seed companies at inflated rates. For the year 2010, seeds were purchased 90,000 quintal from private seed companies @ Rs1,620 per quintal even though procurement rate from the shareholders of the corporation was only Rs1,230 per quintal i.e.
Rs390 less. In the year 2009 the difference was mere Rs60 per quintal. The commission also found the seeds from private companies were sold without verifying their quality and genuineness thereby causing loss of brand image of Pantnagar seed.
Talking to The Pioneer State Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat said that in USTDC 66 percent shares including 30 percent by state government; 21 percent by Union government and 15 percent by Pantnagar University, remaining 34 percent shared owned by others including Faizabad, Udhamsinghnagar, Kumaon and Garhwal hills farmers. As per the share, USTDC have 15 directors including six appointed by state, three by union, two by Pantnagar and four appointed through election only. Being highest stake holder the Sate Gvernment has authority to appoint chairman.
Rawat further said that the Agriculture department has sent the report to the police as complaint. As far as then PS2CM and FRDC is concerned, then State Government is scrutinizing his role in appointment of Hemant Dwivedi.