CVC looking into graft complaints against IFFCO MD

NEW DELHI: Anti-graft agency CVC is looking into complaints of alleged irregularities against Managing Director of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) including misuse of society's funds to corner a posh bungalow worth several crores in the national capital.


"As per information provided by Central Vigilance Commission, it has received three complaints against U S Awasthi, MD, IFFCO on which the Commission has sought investigation and report," Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions V Narayanasamy told Lok Sabha today in a written reply.

The allegation included subsidy frauds by opening Kisan International Trading, a 100 per cent subsidiary in Dubai; two illegal contracts for cornering a posh bungalow for himself from society's fund and earning huge illegal commission in imports of raw materials and finished fertilisers thereby creating huge loss to the society, the Minister said.

Complaints of misuse of IFFCO's funds and repatriation of government equity through illegal means were also being looked into by the CVC.

"The CVC has sought a report from the Department of Fertilisers on July 8, 2010 and Department of Agriculture and Cooperation on June 20, 2011.

"It has received the report dated January 25, 2012 from Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. The report from the Department of Fertilisers is awaited," he said.

The probity watchdog was also looking into a complaint against Awasthi, MD and (Rakesh) Kapoor, Joint MD, IFFCO regarding alleged transfer of IFFCO property worth several crores in Hauz Khas and Vasant Kunj, New Delhi in their name.

"The CVC has sought a report from the Department of Fertilisers on March 7, 2013," Narayanasamy said.

Another complaint regarding acceptance of raw materials like phosphoric acid from companies in Senegal and other African countries, by taking bribe through son's firm etc. was also received by the CVC which has referred it to the CBI in 2010 calling for a report.

"The CBI had allowed the market to rest due to lack of jurisdiction over IFFCO. The Commission has received an interim report dated February 9, 2012," the Minister said.

The Ministry of Personnel had last month issued an order, saying the CVC was duly empowered to exercise jurisdiction over multi-state cooperative societies which includes National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd ( KRIBHCO) and IFCCO among others.