ERRING RICE EXPORT FIRM IN PUNJAB BLACKLISTED
Government
has taken stern action against a rice-export firm in Punjab for
its alleged involvement in the diversion of rice meant for exports
to the local market. The firm, M/s Sharp Menthol India Ltd., has
since been blacklisted. All transactions by Food Corporation of
India with this firm all over the country have been stopped. Further,
the Bank Guarantee deposited by the said firm with FCI is being
encashed. Orders to this effect have already been issued by the
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
Shri Hardev Singh, Assistant Manager, FCI, Bhatinda Depot has
been placed under suspension for his alleged connivance with M/s
Sharp Menthol India Ltd., in the illegal diversion of rice meant
for export.
A report on this multi
crore rice diversion scam had appeared in a section of the press
on the 19th June, 2002. It was stated in the news item
that the District Police authorities of Bhatinda (Punjab) had
unearthed a major scam involving the diversion of rice purchased
from the Food Corporation of India for the purpose of export to
the local market through a nexus between rice shellers, some export
firms and employees of FCI.
Shri Shanta Kumar,
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
has warned that stern action will be taken against persons indulging
in fraudulent activities like illegal diversion of foodgrains.
However, genuine exporters have nothing to fear, he adds. Government
will continue to extend full support to them to facilitate exports,
he said.
Shri Shanta Kumar
has also stated that the target of export of 150 lakh tonnes of
foodgrains from the Central Pool during the financial year 2002-03
will be fully achieved.
