Agriculture minister V S Sunil Kumar on raid spree, unearths large-scale graft

KOZHIKODE: Agriculture minister V.S. Sunil Kumar found 'large-scale misappropriation' at the Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market, Kadamputtuthazham, in Vengeri, during a visit here on Monday. He sought an explanation from officials who rented out the building facility, supposed to be used by the farmers, to private parties to run a tiles showroom. He also found that the copra driers given to a society violating norms.

He said he would not allow any misappropriation in the government facility and officials who are responsible will be punished. "I cannot let the farmer's' space be given to someone else. There will be an enquiry how the society got permission to use KERAFED copra drier unit. It is evident from the scene that the copra was shifted to the drier after getting information about my visit," he told reporters.

The minister ordered the immediate closure of Horticorp outlet working in a rented building. "When we have our facility at Vengeri, it is not justifiable to spend Rs 12,000 a month on rent. I will take immediate action against the officer who gave permission for this and will retrieve money from him," he said.

Mr Kumar also found that out of the 100 rooms in the market building, not even one was given to the farmers. The five cold storages for farmers to keep their crops are used by private parties to store imported fruits. He said a committee headed by Kozhikode North legislator A. Pradeep Kumar would prepare a master plan for the development of the market.