Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 8 (PTI) Eight employees of the Keralam State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) have been suspended for allegedly misusing Onam gift cards to facilitate the transfer of subsidised sugar to a private company.
The action was taken on the directions of Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob, who ordered stringent action against those involved in the alleged irregularities, a statement said on Tuesday.
The irregularities allegedly involved the transfer of sugar from Supplyco’s Perumbavoor depot to a private company, Keerthi Nirmal. An employee at the depot had earlier been suspended pending an inquiry into the incident.
Under Supplyco’s Onam gift card scheme, Keerthi Nirmal had been issued 1,000 coupons worth Rs 1,000 each. The coupons were allegedly used to obtain non-subsidised sugar for their full value through irregular means, the statement said.
A subsequent Supplyco vigilance inspection found that the physical stock had remained at the depot, it said.
The employees at the sales outlets were suspended for allegedly facilitating the large-scale transfer of sugar to the private company and irregularly handling the stock at a time when there was a significant difference between subsidised and market prices of sugar, the statement said.
The minister said such irregularities would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those involved, irrespective of their position, the statement added. PTI LGK SSK
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