Bhubaneswar: Even after a massive scam in paddy procurement to the tune of Rs 24 crores surfaced in 2013, the Vigilance department is yet to complete its probe in the matter.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered the Vigilance department in 2013 to investigate the scam, but the anti-corruption wing is yet to submit its report.
However, the scam again hit the headlines after NABARD carried out a detailed investigation into the alleged irregularities and wrote to the concerned department.
Sources informed that the Cooperation department is likely to reopen the case soon following NABARD’s intervention.
"There are complaints with the Chief Minister that computers and other items were purchased at higher than the market prices. The case is already with the Vigilance department. After NABARD's letter, I have written to the registrar of cooperative societies to probe and submit a report soon,” said Cooperation minister Surya Narayan Patro.
Allegations related to the purchase of computers, printers and other unwanted accessories at twice the market rates by the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) came to fore in 2013.
For a total of 2,171 primary cooperative societies, different machineries and computer items were purchased for paddy procurement in 2013 without even floating tenders.
“Hope the fraudsters will be exposed soon. The officials who carried out the purchases have mostly been transferred now," said the complainant, Pabitra Kumar Pradhan.