BJP demands CBI probe into PDS wheat diversion case in Ganjam

The Ganjam unit of BJP today demanded for CBI inquiry into the alleged diversion of wheat meant for the public distribution system (PDS) to the flour mills in the district.
The district administration had seized over 615 quintal of wheat from a flour-mill at Ralaba village, which was meant for the distribution under PDS.
"It's is only one instance of diversion of PDS items in the district. Large quantities of such items were being diverted to the mills without being distributed among the beneficiaries," BJP leaders alleged.
BJP leaders suspected a well-organised racket was operating in the district for diverting the essential commodities meant for the PDS. "The deal be exposed only through an inquiry by the CBI," said Bibhuti Jena, former president, Bharatiya Janata Yuba Morcha (BJYM).

The party submitted a memorandum to the chief minister Naveen Patnaik through revenue divisional commissioner, southern range urging for order of the CBI inquiry.
Local leaders of the party alleged that action was not taken against the real culprits behind diversion of the PDS wheat to flour-mills. They demanded immediate action against the persons involved in it.
Ganjam district administration had suspended the procurement inspector of Aska, Aurabinda Kothari and cancelled the transport license of Maheswar Parida recently, allegedly for their role in diverting the PDS wheat to flour-mills.
The civil supply officials had seized over 615 quintals of wheat from the flour-mill during the raids in the mill. The raids were conducted by the civil supply and commercial tax officials following the direction of district collector Prem Chandra Chaudhary after the district administration seized around 115 quintals of wheat unloaded in the mills from two vehicles.