Ludhiana BJP seeks probe into 'irregularities' in awarding contracts at grain markets

Tribune News Paper

Ludhiana, December 30

BJP leaders from Ludhiana have sought from the Central Government to order a probe into an alleged ‘multi-crore scam’ in PUNGRAIN.

While addressing a press conference at Circuit House in Ludhiana, Pushpinder Singal, district president of the BJP and advocate Bikram Singh Sidhu, member, state executive committee, BJP, accused Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu of getting contracts awarded to his favourite contractors at various grain markets in Punjab. Minister Ashu has denied these allegations.

The BJP leaders alleged that labour, small contractors and truck owners were being troubled due to ‘corruption’ in grain markets of the state.

Demanding that the ED should conduct the probe, they alleged that “PUNGRAIN has made big clusters in the grain markets and had given labour cartridges and transportation tenders to favourites of minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu and have disqualified low rate tenders to extract more money from the Central Government.”

Bikram alleged that corrupt practices were going on in grain markets of various districts. For example, a contractor, Gurpreet Singh, had carried out the transportation work for Rs 2.25 crore in 2019-20, which was later carried out by the minister’s favourite contractor for Rs 4 crore, he alleged.

The contractor, who was present during the press conference, has demanded a probe into awarding of contracts.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said all these allegations were baseless and fake. There was complete transparency in the working of grain markets and there was no misuse of funds, he said.

Thge minister said the tendering process was online and transparent. Moreover, it was a Central Government- monitored process.