23-05-2023 : The Jammu branch of the Anticorruption Bureau (ACB) has taken action by registering a case against Assistant Director Ghar Singh from the FCS&CA Department Kishtwar and TSO Ab. Majid Wani for their involvement in the misappropriation of carriage charges related to ration items.
The case was initiated following a complaint lodged by Manzoor Ahmad, which alleged that officers and officials of the CA&PD Department in Marwah, District Kishtwar, misappropriated carriage charges and drew excess payment for the transportation of food grains from the Food store Guzar to the Food store Inshan and Food store Choidraman during the period of 2014-15 and 2015-16.
During the verification conducted by the ACB, several discrepancies came to light. In the case of the transportation from Food store Guzar to Food store Inshan, the actual distance by road was 1.800 kilometers and 0.350 kilometers by head load, totaling 150 kilometers. However, the department charged carriage charges either at the rate of Rs. 65/- for an average distance of 3.6 kilometers or at the rate of Rs. 90/- for an average distance of 5 kilometers for the two Food stores.
Similarly, for the transportation from Guzar Inshan to Food store Choidraman, the actual distance was 6.00 kilometers, but the department charged carriage charges of Rs. 216 for the distance of 12 kilometers, resulting in an excess charge of 6 kilometers. The fixed rate during the years 2014-16 was Rs. 18/- per quintal per kilometer.
It was found that the TSO Ab. Majid Wani, in criminal conspiracy with the Assistant Director Ghar Singh, abused their official positions and deliberately charged excess carriage charges, falsified records, and misappropriated an amount of Rs. 15,33,475/-. These actions resulted in undue benefits for themselves and corresponding loss to the government exchequer.
The aforementioned acts constitute offenses punishable under Section 5 (1) (c) (d) r/w 5 (2) of the J&K P.C Act Svt. 2006 and Sections 120-B, 467, 468, 471 RPC. The case has been registered at the ACB Doda Police Station.
This action by the ACB highlights their commitment to combat corruption and hold accountable those involved in fraudulent activities. The investigation will proceed to determine the extent of the misappropriation and take necessary legal actions against the accused individuals and any others found responsible for the offense.