Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister and Congress MlA from Jamshedpur West, Banna Gupta on Monday morning visited the Parsudih-based Krishi Utpadan Bazaar Samiti (KUBS) for nearly three hours and found several trucks and other carrier vans parked inside the KUBS premises without proper gate passes in violation of guidelines. Gupta later ordered a departmental probe into ‘irregularities’ in the functioning of the Bazaar Samiti, Parsudih.
The Minister who later in the evening conducted a review meeting of government departments officials posted in the district in presence of East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal and East Singhbhum senior superintendent of police Amol V Homkar at the Circuit House hinted at a nexus between officials and brokers.
“There is strong possibility of a nexus between officials and brokers as vehicles were allowed without gate passes (issued after payment to the samity) causing loss to the state exchequer. This apart, I came to know that several foodgrains laden trucks were unloaded directly at different markets instead of KUBS premises causing loss of mandi tax to the department and the government. The KUBS is meant for storage of foodgrains and welfare of farmers but a godown has been allotted to store liquor in violation of norms,” said Banna Gupta.
According to rules, any truck carrying consignment from outside the state has to first enter the Samiti premises where the trader has to pay one per cent mandi tax. After that, the consignment is either stored in Samiti godowns or carried inside the city.
The minister also constituted a three-member committee comprising deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal, SDO Dhalbhum Prem Ranjan (also chairman of KUBS Jamshedpur) and special officer rationing Jamshedpur Anil Kumar Rai to investigate into the irregularities and submit report to the state agriculture secretary Vishnu Kumar by tomorrow.
“I have recommended for strong action against anyone found guilty of violation as the department was serious in enhancing revenue generation. In fact, this action is part of the step to free all KUBS from brokers and middlemen and protect the interest of the farmers,” said Gupta. Out of the total 28 KUBS, only the ones in Ranchi, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur were profit making. While Ranchi Krishi Bazar Samiti has recorded a profit of Rs 24 crore, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur registered Rs 8 crore and Rs 11 crore profit respectively.