Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 23: The State CAPD Department has failed to get over 72,000 quintals of sugar quota from the private contractors and societies from Maharashtra for the month of May, 2014, as they have stopped the supplies to J&K in view of non-clearance of their outstanding worth over Rs 150 crore.
Hardly six days of this month are left, the consumers have not been disbursed sugar quota of this month. The ration dealers in all the ten districts of Jammu claimed that they are yet to get supplies from the concerned TSOs while the senior officials in Jammu and District heads claimed that due to some delay in transportation of sugar from Maharashtra, this crisis has been created. But the fact is that despite their contradictory claims, the consumers not only in Jammu region but also in Kashmir division failed to get sugar quota.
Official sources said that about half a dozen contractors/ societies from Maharashtra are supplying subsidized sugar to the J&K State’s CAPD Department. The State is lifting nearly 72,000 quintals of sugar every month. While Jammu division is getting 32,000 quintals of sugar quota, the Kashmir is receiving over 40,000 quintals levy sugar per month. The outstanding amount of these private contractors towards State CAPD has crossed over Rs 150 crore. Due to this reason, they have stopped the sugar supply, on the plea of clearance of at least fifty per cent of the pending amount. This is the only reason behind the delay is Sugar quota distribution to the rationees in the State. The cash starved State is facing problem in clearance of the outstanding amount of these Maharashtra based firms.
Out of the total, 32000 quintals quota of ten districts of Jammu region, Jammu district alone is lifting nearly 9500 quintals of sugar quota including Jammu city. The general public is being given impression that goods trains are not available and therefore sugar quota for this month has been delayed.
Director CAPD Jammu, G S Chib when contacted said that four racks of sugar in goods-trains are arriving here from Maharashtra. There has been delay in the transportation and hardly one rack sugar equivalent to 450 trucks have arrived here so far. He expressed his ignorance over the non-clearance of huge outstanding amount of the contractors but admitted that many districts and tehsils have yet to received quota of this month. He however, maintained that consumers have been provided Atta and rice including BPL and APL in the region.
Replying to another question, the Director said Jammu region is getting quota of 32000 quintals of subsidized sugar. The public is bearing cost of Rs 13.50 per kg while Rs 18.50 per kg is subsidy being provided to the public by the Government. This amount is disbursed by the Central Government to the State. He claimed that sugar problem will be over within couple of days as a few more racks of sugar are arriving here shortly. “The matter has already been discussed with the Commissioner/ Secretary CAPD Baseer Khan during meeting in Srinagar yesterday. He is aware of the issue and the shortage will be over within a day or two,” he maintained.
To a yet another question, Mr Chib further said, “as per contract, the supplies have to be maintained up to one year and this contract is valid till ending July 2014. They are supposed to deliver goods (sugar) till the contract period is over.”
Minister for CAPD Ch Ramzan expressed his ignorance over the matter. However, Secretary CAPD claimed that money is no criteria, the delay in disbursement of sugar has been caused due to transportation. He claimed that clearance of pending amount is continuing process and people will get sugar quota shortly with the arrival of more racks.
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