A minitruck with a carrying capacity of 7.5 quintals transported 277.69 quintals and 281.29 quintals of food grains in two trips, a car transported 244.20 quintals in one trip, a three-wheeler (passenger) carried more than 200 quintals. Just a journey: These are some of the findings of the CAG on its audit of the implementation of the Public Distribution System in Karnataka.
Disclosing the use of passenger vehicles and light goods vehicles in food transportation, the CAG report on ‘Public Distribution Supply Chain Management Performance Audit’ states, “Vehicles used for food transportation should be as per the list of vehicles submitted for food transportation. (Department of Food and Civil Supplies). The audit found that the vehicle numbers were verified as per the truck chit with vehicle details on the ‘Vahan’ portal and many of them were passenger vehicles. Transport Claims Contractors submitted claims for picking up and transporting food using cars, autos, three wheelers and mini trucks using both passenger and light goods vehicles. “
According to the terms of the contract, the CAG has to take the permission of the Food and Civil Supplies Department for the vehicles used in wholesale transport along with vehicle maintenance. “The audit found that 2,510 truck cheats were checked in seven districts and 1,725 trips were made on vehicles that were not authorized by the food grain transportation department,” the statement said.
According to the report covering the period 2017-22, it was claimed that 244.20 quintals of food grains were transported in one trip using Tata Indica (V2) under Hanumanthanagar Wholesale Depot (WSD), while 492.20 quintals of food grains were transported. The Maruti 800 Omni is shown as a transport on two journeys.
It also gives an example of transporting 277.69 quintals and 281.29 quintals of food grains in two trips using Tata AC X BS3 minitrucks under Banashankari Wholesale Depot. “The carrying capacity of these mini trucks was only 7.5 quintals,” the report said.
The claim of the transporter of transporting 4 thousand 14.44 quintals of food grains using the above passenger vehicles is very doubtful and it has not been confirmed even in the audit. Considering the transportation capacity, the possibility of transporting such a large quantity is very unlikely, so the department has not been able to reject the transportation expenses claimed by the transporters. The government’s response is silent on the results of the audit,’ said the report.
What the report said about vehicle use
The CAG said wholesale contract transporters are required to obtain authorization from the Food and Civil Supplies Department for vehicles used in transport. According to the report, “The audit checked 2,510 truck cheats in seven districts and it was found that in 1,725 trips food was transported in vehicles not authorized by the department.”
“Although the transporters have submitted a list of vehicles used for transportation, the audit has shown that they use vehicles that are not authorized according to the contract agreement. In addition, WSD’s warehouse manager failed to ensure that the required items were delivered by the authorized trucks listed in the contract agreement. As a result, contractors submitted claims against consignments made on unauthorized vehicles permitted by the department…,” the CAG said.
Highlighting the perceived risk of lack of sanitation at the level of WSDs, it said, “The audit showed that poor maintenance of WSDs has increased the risk of contamination and pest infestation in food which damages the quality of food… The department said that no provision has been made for loss and waste handling.” In the absence of proper standards for accounting for losses and waste management, the audit could not quantify the loss on this account.”
The report contained 2 pictures showing alleged improper maintenance of WSDs – “Stray pig at KFCSC Raichur (Main WSD)” and “Infected rice bag at KFCSC Mandya (U)”. Sharing the government’s response to the findings, it said, “The State Government replied (April 2023) that the Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (KFCSC) was directed to forward proposals for improvement of wholesale depots based on standards and good storage practices.”
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