A minitruck — which has a carrying capability of seven.5 quintals — transported 277.69 quintals and 281.29 quintals of foodgrains in two journeys, a automotive transported 244.20 quintals in a single journey, a three-wheeler (passenger) hauled even a better amount of 300.02 quintals in only one journey: these are among the findings of the CAG in its audit of Karnataka’s Public Distribution System implementation.
Revealing using passenger automobiles and lightweight items automobiles in transporting foodgrains, the CAG report ‘Efficiency Audit on Provide Chain Administration of Public Distribution’ famous, “The automobiles used for transporting meals grains must be in accordance with the checklist of automobiles submitted to the Division (of Meals and Civil Provides). Audit verified car numbers as per truck chits with that of car particulars in ‘Vaahan’ portal and located that lots of them had been passenger automobiles. Transportation claims had been submitted by the contractors utilizing each passenger and lightweight items automobiles, together with vehicles, autos, three-wheelers and mini vehicles claiming to have lifted and transported foodgrains…”
The CAG mentioned that wholesale contract transporters are required to acquire the authorisation of the Division of Meals and Civil Provides for automobiles for use in wholesale transportation together with upkeep of the car as per the circumstances of contract. “Audit take a look at checked 2,510 truck chits in seven districts and located that in 1,725 journeys, transportation of foodgrains was carried out in automobiles not authorised by the division,” it mentioned.
As per the report, which coated the interval 2017-22, a amount of 244.20 quintals of foodgrains was claimed to be transported in a single journey utilizing Tata Indica (V2) underneath the Hanumanthanagar Wholesale Depot (WSD), whereas 492.20 quintals of foodgrains had been proven as transported in two journeys of Maruti 800 Omni.
It additionally provides situations of transportation of 277.69 quintals and 281.29 quintals of foodgrains in two journeys utilizing a Tata Ace EX BS3 minitruck underneath Banashankari Wholesale Depot. “The carrying capability of those mini vehicles was 7.5 quintals solely,” the report mentioned.
“The claims of the transporters in delivering 4,014.44 quintals of foodgrains utilizing (the) above passenger automobiles is extremely suspicious and the identical couldn’t be vouched in audit. The Division did not disallow the transportation prices claimed by the transporters, as the potential of delivering such large portions is extremely inconceivable contemplating their carrying capacities. The reply of the Authorities is silent concerning the audit findings,” the report mentioned.
What report mentioned on use of automobiles
The CAG mentioned wholesale contract transporters are required to acquire the authorisation of Dept of Meals and Civil Provides for automobiles for use in transportation. The report mentioned, “Audit take a look at checked 2,510 truck chits in seven districts and located that in 1,725 journeys, transportation of foodgrains was carried out in automobiles not authorised by the division.”
“Audit noticed that although the transporters submitted the checklist of automobiles for use in transportation, additionally they resorted to utilization of automobiles which weren’t authorised/not within the checklist of automobiles as per contract settlement. Additional, the godown supervisor of WSD failed to make sure that the important commodities are delivered by the authorised vehicles listed out within the contract settlement. Consequently, the contractors submitted claims towards the consignments made in unauthorised automobiles which had been allowed by the Division…,” the CAG mentioned.
Highlighting the dangers from alleged lack of hygiene at WSDs ranges, it mentioned, “Audit noticed that poor upkeep of WSDs elevated the danger of contamination and pest infestation of foodgrains resulting in loss and degraded foodgrain high quality… The Division said that no provision was made in direction of dealing with losses and wastages. Within the absence of correct set standards for accounting of dealing with losses and wastages, the audit couldn’t quantify the losses on this account.”
The report had 2 pictures displaying alleged improper upkeep of WSDs titled — “stray pigs at KFCSC Raichur (principal WSD)” and “infested rice baggage at KFCSC Mandya (U)”. Sharing the federal government’s response to the findings, it mentioned, “The State Authorities replied (April 2023) that Karnataka Meals and Civil Provides Company Restricted (KFCSC) was directed to ahead proposals for enchancment of Wholesale Depots primarily based on the usual and good warehousing practices.”
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