Foodgrain transportation scam: Punjab Vigilance Bureau books contractors

A Punjab Vigilance Bureau spokesperson said that a case has been registered against contractors for committing fraud and embezzlement and causing loss to the state exchequer.

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has exposed an alleged fraud in labour cartage and transport tenders for wheat in grain markets by the contractors in connivance with employees of the food and civil supplies department in Ferozepur.

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has exposed an alleged fraud in labour cartage and transport tenders for wheat in grain markets by the contractors in connivance with employees of the food and civil supplies department in Ferozepur. (HT Photo/ Representational image)

A VB spokesperson said that a case has been registered against contractors for committing fraud and embezzlement and causing loss to the state exchequer. The bureau has arrested one of them. During the tenders for labour cartage and transport for wheat/stock articles in 2022-2023, the accused contractors attached lists regarding the registration numbers of vehicles for the transportation of goods. It has come to light that in these lists, several registration numbers of invalid vehicles such as motorcycles, jeeps, tractors, etc. were given whereas food grains could not be transported on such vehicles, the spokesperson added.