Food and Supply Department demotes official, minister stays order

Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 4

Punishment awarded to a Food and Supply Department official 10 days ago by the then Principal Secretary, on charges of gross dereliction of duty in allowing registration of a fictitious rice mill, has now been stayed by the minister.

The official was awarded demotion for approving the temporary registration of the fake mill allegedly “without having any authority”. After the approval, paddy was also allotted to the (non-existent) mill for shelling for two years.

When Principal Secretary Food and Supplies KAP Sinha was replaced by Rahul Tiwari, the punishment was stayed. Satvir Singh was demoted from DFSO to AFSO. He was officiating as the DFSC, Mohali, on the day of the approval as DFSC Renu Bala Verma was on leave.

However, the demotion order has been stayed. “The officer has pleaded his case before the minister. Till the time his case is decided, the orders regarding his punishment may be stayed,” reads the order.

The department’s vigilance committee, in its probe, observed that a rice mill in Kharar fabricated records to get a fake one registered to get more paddy for milling. Based on the committee’s report, Sinha, in his order, dated May 26, found five officers — Renu Bala Verma, Paramjit Singh, Satvir Singh, Vikram Singh and Manpreet Singh — guilty. In his order, Sinha said Renu Bala Verma and inspector Vikram Singh shouldn’t get two increments with cumulative effect. A 10 per cent cut in pension was recommended for Paramjit Singh, who retired as FSO, and Manpreet Singh (retired as AFSO). Verma has also filed an appeal against the punishment. Minister Ashu said, “The punishment of demotion is harsh. I will hear him (Satvir Singh) out before taking a final call.”