A massive discrepancy was discovered in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, where over 228 metric tonnes of government-procured wheat went missing from two cooperative centres. An FIR has been filed and one official has been arrested.
- 228.764 metric tonnes of government wheat missing in Balrampur, UP.
- Total estimated loss valued at approximately ₹60 lakh.
- One official arrested; FIR registered against two others.
In a major blow to the state's agricultural procurement oversight, approximately 228.764 metric tonnes of government wheat, valued at nearly ₹60 lakh, has been reported missing from two Provincial Cooperative Federation (PCF) centres in the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh.
The massive discrepancy came to light during a high-level surprise inspection conducted on September 11 at the B-PACS Tulsipur procurement centres. The inspection team, led by District Food and Marketing Officer Govind Kumar Upadhyay and other senior cooperative officials, discovered that the physical stock in the godowns did not match the official procurement records.
Details of the Discrepancy
At the first centre, records indicated that after delivering stock to the Food Corporation of India (FCI), 67.111 metric tonnes of wheat should have been in storage. However, officials were denied access to the keys, and a visual inspection through the windows revealed an empty warehouse. At the second centre, an even larger deficit was found, with 161.653 metric tonnes of wheat missing from the recorded stock.
The systematic disappearance of such large quantities suggests a coordinated effort to bypass standard procurement protocols.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that such thefts at the procurement level undermine the entire Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism. When grain intended for national food security vanishes from local hubs, it creates a ripple effect that impacts food availability and government fiscal management.
Historical Context of Grain Procurement
In India, the procurement process involves multiple layers of verification to ensure that grain purchased from farmers at MSP is securely transferred to the FCI. The PCF plays a critical role in this supply chain. Frequent reports of missing stocks highlight the urgent need for digital tracking and real-time monitoring of cooperative godowns.
| Centre Type | Recorded Stock (Missing) | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| B-PACS Tulsipur (Centre 1) | 67.111 MT | Part of ₹60L |
| B-PACS Tulsipur (Centre 2) | 161.653 MT | Part of ₹60L |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who has been arrested in this case?
The in-charge secretary, Prakash Singh, has been arrested following the FIR filed by the PCF district manager.
2. Where did the theft take place?
The theft occurred at two procurement centres in the Tulsipur area of Balrampur district, Uttar Pradesh.
