Vikash Sharma

Bhubaneswar: Managing Director of Poteru Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) in Odisha’s Malkangiri district was placed under suspension following alleged irregularities in groundnut procurement.

LAMPS Administrator Samal Marandi informed that managing director Dhaneswar Patnaik has been suspended while action will be taken if the involvement of other officials and employees comes to the fore during further investigation.

The action against Patnaik was taken based on allegations over non-procurement of groundnuts from various mandis under Poteru LAMPS. Sources said the produce of farmers was allegedly not lifted citing lack of government sacks.

However, groundnuts were being illegally transported by some employees in collusion with middlemen, some farmers had alleged.

The farmers had lodged a police station and staged a demonstration after they seized a mini-truck transporting groundnuts illegally in the area.

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