LAHORE: The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment has recovered over Rs200 million from the flour mills in connection with misappropriation of subsidised wheat issued to them during Ramazan Package 2018.

According to an ACE release, during Ramazan Package 2018, the Punjab government provided subsidised wheat through the food department to the functional flour mills across the province.

The food department issued wheat at the rate of Rs1,200 per 40 kg to the mills. But under Ramazan Package 2018, the department released wheat at a subsidised rate of Rs800.

On reports of misappropriation, an inquiry was launched.

The probe found that some mills did not grind the grain and sold it in open market to make a windfall.

During the inquiry proceedings, it was found that 667 flour mills availed subsidised wheat quota across Punjab out of which 148 were involved in misappropriation/less grinding of the subsidised stuff.

Total loss amounting to Rs261.37m has been assessed during the inquiry by 148 flour mills; a sum of Rs206.48m has been recovered and the remaining amount is Rs54.89m.

The ACE said FIRs had been registered against flour mills and the food department officials in Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Gujranwala regions.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2020