Food department shaken by Rs2.6b wheat scam clean-up

KARACHI: Sindh Food Minister Makhdoom Mehboobuz Zaman has removed five officials of the provincial food department from service and ordered the recovery of Rs2.62 billion over the alleged illegal disposal of government wheat stocks, according to findings of a departmental inquiry.

The minister also referred the matter to the Sindh Anti-Corruption Establishment for further investigation and directed senior department officials to begin court proceedings against those dismissed. The action follows an internal probe that found the officials responsible for unlawful sale of wheat purchased from growers, adulteration of wheat reserves, irregular procurement of jute and polypropylene bags, and the preparation of fake dispatch records.

Officials removed after inquiry

The dismissed officials were identified as Balkh Sher Shaikh, a food inspector posted in Kashmore-Kandhkot; Habibullah Abro, a supervisor in Badin; Ali Ashghar Panhwar, a supervisor in Dadu; Deedar Hussain Magsi, a supervisor in Benazirabad; and Muhammad Ali Magsi, a food inspector in Hyderabad.

According to the inquiry, Balkh Sher Shaikh was held responsible for the misappropriation of 9,913 tons of wheat, causing a loss of Rs780.36 million. Ali Ashghar Panhwar was accused of embezzling Rs380.22 million through the misappropriation of 28,375 tons of wheat.

The inquiry also found that Deedar Hussain Magsi was responsible for a shortage of 102,863 polypropylene bags and for preparing forged dispatch documents, resulting in losses of Rs1.19 billion. Habibullah Abro was said to have caused losses of Rs80.79 million through shortages of jute and polypropylene bags. Officials said Abro was responsible for shortages of 387 jute bags and 4,289 PP bags.

Recovery of Rs200.83 million was also ordered from Muhammad Ali Magsi as part of the action taken by the department.

Cases sent for further action

The minister ordered that the cases be sent to the anti-corruption authorities for further inquiry while legal action is initiated through the courts. He said wheat stored in government warehouses is a public trust and warned that corruption in its management would not be accepted.