Media reports on the poor condition of a State Food Corporation (SFC) godown, which remained closed for 15 days under mysterious circumstances, led to an inspection by the minister concerned and a subsequent order of departmental probe into it on Wednesday.
State Food and Civil Supply Minister Saryu Rai on Wednesday found at least 1000 quintals of pulses, with some sacks torn and littered on the floor at the godown in Ranchi. The pulses belonged to the State School Education and Literacy Department, which was supposed to use them for Midday Meal. Besides, several sacks of double fortified salt, including a few packets which were torn, were also found on the floor of the godown.
In what a senior official called an “unhappy coincidence”, the in-charge of the godown, an Assistant General Manager (AGM) rank official had retired about 15 days ago and his subsequent plea for extension of services was rejected. Since his services ended, the godown remained closed. Another official handed over the charge of the godown fled without any prior notice. And eventually, the SFC on Wednesday handed over the charge of the godown to an AGM from Namkom.
“The sorry state of the godown appears to be a manmade scene. I have asked the department to initiate a thorough probe into the matter. The double fortified salt was kept in the godown for over two years,” said Rai, adding that the retired officials will also come under the ambit of the investigation.
Rai visited the godown on Wednesday morning and called for a meeting with the State Food and Civil Supplies Secretary Amitabh Kaushal and other senior officials by evening.
“The Managing Director has been asked to shoot a show cause notice to the Divisional Manager of SFC in connection with the anomalies in the godown,” said Kaushal.
Kaushal also pointed out at coincidences that indicate that the situation may have been created. The State had stopped procurement and distribution of the double fortified salt about 10 months ago and started using iodized salt instead.
“The sealed packets of salt are kept inside sacks. Not only were the sacks torn, but the packets were also torn and found littered on the floor,” said Kaushal, adding that the issue of rotting grains, salts and sugar in the godown will also be probed.
The SFC had decided not to extend the services of retired AGMs about five months ago. The services of at least 105 retired AGMs ended since the decision, officials said.