By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: In line with the Chief Minister Punjab’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, Secretary Food Safety & Consumer Protection Punjab, Dr. Kiran Khurshid, has taken major action against corruption in the Food Department. According to details, strict disciplinary actions have been taken against four officers of the Directorate of Food after serious allegations were proven against them.
Read also: Flour prices soar, basic food staples continue slipping out of reach
These include misappropriation, connivance in wheat smuggling, failure to release wheat stock from open areas in a timely manner, and collusion with flour mills. The officers against whom action has been taken include District Food Controllers from Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Khushab, and Bahawalpur. Under departmental proceedings, one officer has been dismissed from service, while others have been awarded major and minor penalties. These include forfeiture of five years of past service and withholding of annual increment for one year.
Furthermore, in connection with collusion with flour mills, a fine has been imposed on one flour mill, while the matter of issuing only a warning to another mill is under investigation to determine responsibility.
On this occasion, Dr. Kiran Khurshid stated that embezzlement of public resources and any act against public interest will not be tolerated under any circumstances. She emphasized that transparency, merit, and rule of law will be ensured in the Food Department.
She further added that the zero-tolerance policy against corruption will continue to be implemented strictly, and such actions will persist without discrimination to ensure public relief and the fair and timely supply of wheat.
