JAGATSINGHPUR: The district administration on Friday suspended three officials of Tiruna Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) in Naugaon block for their involvement in large-scale irregularities during paddy procurement.As per reports, Secretary Madhabanada Nayak, Data Entry Operator (DEO) Jayant Kumar Lenka and peon Sovani Mallick of Tiruna PACS had managed to purchase quintals of paddy bags from fake farmers and sell it to rice millers. Lenka had prepared the online fake beneficiary list for paddy procurement with the help of Nayak.
Farmers’ coupons meant for selling of paddy were distributed among the unscrupulous traders while genuine farmers were ignored. Paddy procurement at Tiruna panchayat was severely affected due to nexus between PACS officials and traders. Acting on several allegations, the Collector had asked the district Civil Supply Office (CSO) to conduct a joint inquiry by the officials of CSO and Cooperation department. During investigation, it was found that Lenka had collected tonnes of paddy from fake farmers in the name of original farmers. Even Fair Average Quality (FAQ) norms of the paddy were compromised.
Assistant Civil Supply Officer Brajendra Kumar Mohanty said, “Last week, we had submitted the joint inquiry report to the district administration for further action.” Assistant Register of Cooperative Society Ranjan Kumar Biswal said acting on the direction of the Collector, Nayak, Lenka and Mallick were suspended from their duties on Friday.”