Chandigarh: Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira written a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh regarding corruption in Verka milk plant in Ludhiana.
Khaira writes
In various Verka milk plants in the state corrupt practices and irregularities are being committed and these have been the main topic in the newspapers as well as various TV Channels. S Simarjit Singh Bains MLA from Atam Nagar, Ludhiana of Lok Insaaf Party told me that he had received numerous complaints from the people of his constituency that corrupt practices and irregularities were being committed in the Verka Milk Plant, Ludhiana. Sh. Bains further informed me that he made a surprise visit to the Verka Milk Plant, Ludhiana and exposed corrupt practices and irregularities, which were being committed there and those were highlighted by the electronic and print media. Besides this, different reporters of the electronic media have also exposed irregularities and short comings in other Verka milk plants of the state through different stories.
Taking cognisance of the allegations levelled by Sh. Simarjit Singh Bains MLA and exposures made by different reports in the media, Hon’ble Cooperative Minister ordered state vigilance inquiry into the matter. The state vigilance assured the media that inquiry into different Verka milk plants would be completed within a week. But more than one week’s time has elapsed, there is no indication whether any enquiry report has been submitted to the Government. We are of the firm opinion that an independent inquiry is not possible unless the Managing Director of the Milkfed, Sh. Manjit Singh Brar, who is occupying this post since 2015, is not transferred. No doubt that he was transferred on September 5, 2017, but he got it cancelled immediately by using his influence. This shows that S. Manjit Singh Brar, Managing Director, Milkfed wants to cling to this post by all means.
The Chief Accountant of the Cooperative Societies Punjab ordered a special audit of the Milk Union Ludhiana by the audit officer Co-Operative Societies Fatehgarh Sahib and the audit report also confirmed the allegations made by S. Simarjit Singh Bains MLA. From reliable resources, it is learnt that audit of the Milk Union Ludhiana during the period from 01-04-2018 to 19-06-2018, a number of shortages, to the tune of crores of Rupees, have been pointed out. As per audit report, the time of the shortages etc. is of only two months and a few days. It can be imagined the shortages and embezzlements committed in the Verka milk plants in the state during the last few years may be to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees.
Keeping in view the above mentioned facts, the Hon’ble Chief Minister is requested to kindly look into the matter and in order to check corrupt practices/irregularities/mafia in the Verka milk plants in the state, following steps are suggested to be taken:-
- Sh. Manjit Singh Brar, IAS, Managing Director, Milkfed be transferred immediately so that he may not influence the on-going Vigilance Inquiry.
- Vigilance department may kindly be instructed to complete the inquiry within stipulated time.
- Special audit of all the milk plants in the State may kindly be ordered.
I am fully confident that, in the public interest, you will pay personal attention towards above mentioned suggestions/requests.