CBI prosecuting 54 FCI officials for foodgrains damage

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is prosecuting about 54 officials of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the alleged responsibility of damaging 2.49 lakh tonnes of foodgrains during last 4 years, the government informed Parliament on Friday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is prosecuting about 54 officials of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) for the alleged responsibility of damaging 2.49 lakh tonnes of foodgrains during last 4 years, the government informed Parliament on Friday.

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"After getting sanction from the competent authority in FCI, all the seven category-I officers and 47 categories-II officers are being prosecuted by the CBI," Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution K V Thomas said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

Even as the prosecution is under progress, 11 officers have been compulsorily retired and 10 have been dismissed, he said.

These officials have been found responsible for damaging 2.49 lakh tonnes of goodgrains causing losses of Rs 157.48 crore during the past 4 years, he said, adding the government has taken measures to avoid such losses.

FCI is the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of foodgrains in the country.

In a separate reply, the minister noted that about 790 traders have been convicted in 2008 for hoarding commodities like wheat and pulses.

As on July 13 this year, the government has prosecuted 1,691 traders and confiscated commodities worth Rs 13.14 crore, he said.