Bista demands Central inquiry into Chana Dal scam; GTA seeks clarification from NCCF, NAFED

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: While Darjeeling MP Raju Bista wrote to Consumer Affairs minister demanding an inquiry into the alleged Bharat Dal (Chana Dal) scam here, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) sought clarification from National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation (NCCF) and National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) on the issue.

The allegations first raised by Indian Gorkha Janashakti Front (IGJF) who claimed that about tonnes of Chana Dal under the Bharat Dal scheme was procured by the GTA from the Government of India but not distributed to the public. They had even written to the GTA recently demanding a judicial investigation in the matter.

In a media statement today, Bista said, “Having received several inputs from concerned citizens regarding the potential pilferage by some individuals associated with the GTA in the Bharat Dal scheme, I have today written to the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prahlad Joshi requesting an inquiry into the matter.”

The Darjeeling MP claimed that allegations had surfaced in public domain that officials associated with the GTA or someone working for them had requisitioned around 47,000 Metric Tonnes of Chana under the Bharat Dal Scheme in a letter dated March 5, 2024. Bista said a letter dated April8, 2024 signed by Rajiv Kumar, the deputy director under the Ministry, was sent to the NCCF managing director suggesting them to coordinate with the GTA for supply of 14,000 MT under the scheme.

Bista stated that he has requested an inquiry into points like if the Ministry or NAFED/NCCF had received confirmation that the full 14,000 MT of Chana was lifted by GTA or its nominated agency and if yes, to provide detailed information and if no, then to specify the reasons. He has also asked if any information was available with them of any implementing agency appointed by GTA for transporting, stocking and distributing the Chana Dal or an objection raised by the Ministry regarding such appointment. Information on whether the Ministry had received a formal requisition for such allocation along with details of all allocations made under the scheme to the State of West Bengal has also been raised in the letter by Bista.

“I assure the people, once we have all the facts in our hands, we will be calling for an inquiry by Central agencies into the entire illegal activities undertaken by officials associated with the GTA,” said Bista.

On the other hand, in a letter by the GTA to the managing directors of NCCF and NAFED, dated April 29, they have raised the same issue.

In a press statement, GTA chief executive Anit Thapa said, “On my instructions, the GTA has written to the NCCF and NAFED seeking clarification on the Chana Dal issue.”

He said that the main issues raised in it included that it was an unauthorized demand raised by one Sanju Chhetri who had submitted a demand for 47,000 metric tonnes of Bharat Dal to the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs without taking any permission from the GTA. Another question raised was the validity and clarity of payment made to Jiv Shakti Products Private Limited with Rs. 2.25 crore released to the Canara Bank account of NAFED on September 17, 2024 through RTGS.

The press statement maintains that they also asked clarification on the confusion over distribution of pulses with the Central government having approved the provision of pulses to GTA in three phases namely 14,000 MT of chana pulses on April 2021, 5,000 MT of lentils and 3,000 MT of green moong on May 2024 and 14,000 MT of raw Chana pulses through NAFED in September 2024.

According to the release, it is not clear whether these approved pulses reached the GTA or not. The GTA has also sought answers on if the approved pulses were lifted or not and if yes then by whom, when and from where. It also asks that if payment had been received then when and how, and if not, has it been returned to the concerned party or not.