A SUSPECTED case of diversion of canteen goods meant for Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel engaged in battle against Maoists in Chhattisgarh has come to light following a series of applications filed under the RTI Act leading to the Central Information Commissioner asking the force to “provide the factual position”.
It is alleged that goods worth around Rs 3 crore may have been diverted from the CRPF canteens in Chhattisgarh and sold in the open market.
Sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs has taken cognizance of the matter. “The Internal Audit Wing of the MHA conducted an audit in this matter in November and December last year. The report of the audit is still awaited. Once it is with us, appropriate action will be taken,” a CRPF spokesperson told The Sunday Express.
The RTI applications were filed by CRPF Deputy Commandant Prabhat Tripathi.
Sources said first signs of alleged corruption in running of canteens emerged in 2014, when a medical officer posted in 217 Battalion was denied the purchase of an air-conditioner from the battalion’s subsidiary canteen, and a suspected transaction was noticed between 217 Battalion canteen and the master canteen of 201 Cobra Battalion. The master canteen operates as wholesaler, supplying items to subsidiary canteens which sell the same to the personnel.
Tripathi, who was then posted in Chhattisgarh, got on to the trail of the matter. However, he was soon transferred to Lucknow. Following this, he filed a series of RTI applications.
The RTI replies revealed that while the master canteen had released home appliances to the 217 Battalion canteen against a Bill of Rs 1.63 lakh, this was not reflected in the stock register of the 217 Battalion canteen. Moreover, the payment received by the master canteen against the Bill was routed through Kshetriya Gramin Bank where the 217 Battalion did not have an account.
