Maharashtra government to create separate squads for food and civil supplies ministry departments
A high-level meeting called by food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat was attended by director general of police Sanjeev Dayal, additional chief secretary (home) KP Bakshi, FDA commissioner Harshadeep Kamble, controller of the Legal Metrology department for the state Sanjay Pande, and joint commissioner (vigilance) for the FDA Dnyaneshwar Phadtare.
Taking into account rampant corruption in the public distribution system, two departments of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), and the weights and measurements department, the state government will create separate police squads for all.
A high-level meeting called by food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat was attended by director general of police Sanjeev Dayal, additional chief secretary (home) KP Bakshi, FDA commissioner Harshadeep Kamble, controller of the Legal Metrology department for the state Sanjay Pande, and joint commissioner (vigilance) for the FDA Dnyaneshwar Phadtare.
Bapat had also asked Nashik police commissioner and Nashik superintendent of police to be present in the light of suspension of 16 government employees, including district supply officer, in the district. Bapat, during the budget session, had announced the suspension.
Nine tehsildars and others were suspended after a foodgrains scam of over Rs7 crore, involving 30,000 quintals (300 trucks), was unearthed in Surgana taluka of Nashik district.
Bapat had called the meeting to explore ways and means to prevent irregularities and scams in his departments. The meeting discussed effective use of Indian Penal Code section 328, sections of the food and drugs Act, as well as providing for separate force or squads on the lines of those deployed by the department of power.
Bapat told dna that even though the officials have suggested various measures, he would ensure separate force deployment through special squads, which will effectively deal with and prevent such scams.No MCOCA for food scamsSources said even though food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat had announced that he would explore the possibility of imposing the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes (Prevention) Act (MCOCA) for such crimes (irregularities/scams related to foodgrains), experts opined that such incidents are difficult for bringing under the purview of MCOCA. However, speaking to dna after the meeting, Bapat expressed confidence of dealing with such perpetrators of scams stringently.