Utility stores in Gujranwala have become a hub of corruption as subsidised sugar allotted to the stores is being sold in the open market at higher rates, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The stores have become the main source of income for the “utility store mafia”, which is exploiting the masses in the month of Ramadan.
Mian Arshad, who transports sugar from the warehouse, told Pakistan Today that sugar was transported from the Gujranwala warehouse to Kamonki, Hafizabad, Narowal, Pasroor, Shakargarh, Qila Didar Singh, Noshehra Virkan and other nearby towns, where sugar was sold in the open market.
He added that Naeem of Kamonki was involved in the illegal business and was doing business on a massive scale with the support of the influential.
Arshad said more stock was mentioned in the records than was actually transferred, and the remaining stock was sold in the open market by the warehouse staff with the mutual consent and with a share of the other staff members.
He said the warehouse in-charge even took share for signing the stock inventory, adding that Mian Tazeem, who was the in-charge, was extracting money by exploiting every loophole in the supply business.
Arshad said the utility store warehouse staff even provided facility of easy transport to respective “regular clients” in return for huge commissions.
A source told Pakistan Today that B grade commodities were being sold at utility stores, while A grade commodities, including sugar, were being illegally sold to hoarders who were generating huge profits.
He said an inquiry against Babar Qadri was underway.
The source said the quantity of sugar was also being maneuvered, as a 1,000-kg pack carried 800 to 900 kgs in it.
He said every utility store had to pay Rs 1,000 to the warehouse staff as transportation charges for delivery of the commodity.
Utility Stores Corporation Regional Manager Muhammad Hanif said Mian Tazeem, the Gujranwala warehouse in-charge, had been under scrutiny for various corruption charges, but he was still working by capitalising his links with the influential.
He said he had been suspended from duty on corruption charges but was still working.
