NOBODY FOUND GUILTY IN AMRITSAR FOOD SCAM WOULD BE SPARED, CAPT AMARINDER GOVT ASSURES HOUSE

Chandigarh, June 21, 2017: The Punjab government has assured that it will not spare anyone involved in the Amritsar foodgrain distribution scam, in which disciplinary proceedings have already been initiated against all the 22 officials found guilty of misappropriation so far.
The assurance came in the Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday from Health Minister Bram Mohindra, speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on a call attention notice raised by MLA Bikram Singh Pahara.
He asserted that no misappropriation of food articles meant for distribution amongst the deserving poor under the New Atta Dal Scheme would be tolerated.
Action was being taken against all the 22 officials found guilty in the finding report of the Enquiry Officer, including Deputy Director (who has been reverted to the rank of District Controller), and District Food Supplies Controller, he informed the House.
The inquiry into the matter was ordered following a complaint regarding diversion in the distribution of wheat under the New Atta Dal Scheme in different Centres of Amritsar.
Reiterating the government’s zero tolerance on corruption, the minister said four Assistant Food Supply Officers and 14 Inspectors had also been placed under suspension for their alleged role in diverting 45,000 quintals of wheat, with an estimated value of Rs. 10 crores.
The Chief Minister has given a clear directive to ensure total transparency in all government schemes so that the end benefits actually reach the deserving people, he added.