Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: A devastating fire broke out in the office of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) at Paloura leading to gutting of around Rs 3 lakh cash and important documents.
As per sources, fire broke out in the office of Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (Rationing) Circle 1st Old City at around 4:30 am.
There was about Rs 62 lakh cash in the office during the fire incident, which was collected from the ration dealers for monthly ration supplies as per routine exercise at the beginning of every month.
On getting information, police team from Talab Tillo police post rushed to the spot and two fire tenders along with fire fighters were pressed into service to douse the flames.
After hectic efforts, the fire was brought under control, but till then the record and the cash was gutted in fire.
Director CAPD, GS Chib said that the fire erupted between 4:30 to 5:30 am which got intensified in a shorter span and after seeing the smoke coming from the office the information of the same was flashed to Talab Tillo police post and Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
“As per my officials, payment of seven thousand and two hundred quintal of wheat flour had been collected from the various dealers of city but due to Saturday the sale proceeds (cash) could not be deposited with bank”, he added.
“We are assessing the exact loss and preparing inventories”, he said.
As they used to reconcile their record on the daily basis, so it is not difficult for them to recollect the previous data but the only difficulty is in the yesterdays record which was not been reconciled, he added.
Chib informed that a departmental inquiry has also been ordered in the incident and besides they are also going to lodge FIR in the concerned police station for revealing the actual reasons of the incident and if anybody found involved strict legal action would be taken.
“There is no chest provision in the department for cash due to which we are facing severe problems and risks. Had there been a chest provision, things would have been better”, he added.
As per police official no loss of life or injury has been reported in the incident, while the exact loss could not be ascertained yet. Around Rs 3 lakh has been gutted vis-à-vis official records, he added.
Short circuit might be the reason behind the fire but could be ascertained after completing police investigation, he said.
A case has been registered at Talab Tillo police post and investigation started to ascertain the reason behind the incident.
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