Chouhan suspends marketing officer over bribery allegations

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of a marketing officer in the ministry, following a complaint of bribery in Madhya Pradesh’s Sehore district.

According to the complaint, Anurag, a marketing officer in the agriculture ministry, allegedly demanded money in exchange for releasing subsidy amounts during an inspection in Sehore, the ministry said in a statement.

He allegedly sought Rs 1 lakh from Shivay Warehouse in Bhairunda tehsil and Rs 60,000 from Shri Krishna Warehouse in Beherakhedi village in Rehti area, it said. The complaint was brought to the notice of the Union Minister, who took a “serious note” of the allegations and directed immediate action.

“Following the directions, Marketing Officer Anurag was suspended with immediate effect,” the statement said.

The ministry said the action underlines its position that complaints of irregularities or bribery in government processes involving farmers and warehouse operators will be taken seriously and acted upon.