PANJIM: In a major scam, the outlets of Goa State Horticulture Corporation Limited (GSHCL) were found selling vegetables for higher price forcing the authorities to issue them circular asking them to desist from cheating common men.
Director Orlando Rodrigues said that around 300 GSHC-financed carts are found guilty of charging higher rates. “We have issued warnings to all these carts,” he said.
The scam was revealed during random checking by GSHCL officials. It was found that the outlets were selling vegetables at higher than the controlled rates by the corporation.
Rodrigues said that more shocking was the fact that these outlets were selling vegetables to bigger business houses in wholesale depriving the retail customers the benefits. The officials when first encountered the violations, they withdrew 44 carts but they were placed back keeping in mind public requirements. They were leased to another lessee of Goan origin.
GSHCL officials had caught some of the cart operators red handed selling the products by escalating the prices. The corporation in a recent board meeting decided to grant three opportunities to the franchises.
First they will be issued warning, later penalty of Rs 2000, third would be penalty of Rs 5,000 and finally, if they don’t mend their business, their cart will be withdrawn permanently.
“Our aim is to provide vegetables at subsidized rates to people. We also give 15 percent selling price to vendors for adhering to our prices. Our nominal rates of each vegetable are fixed at all horticulture carts,” Rodrigues stated.
The vegetables available at these carts are potatoes, onions, tomatoes, carrots, green chillies, cabbage, cauliflower, lady finger, French beans and cluster beans, prices of which in the markets are sky-rocketing.
“We have instructed the vendors to prominently display GSHCL price list at all carts so that buyers are not cheated. The vendors are also asked that maximum quantity to be sold to each individual shall not exceed two kilograms of each item or as directed by the corporation from time to time,” he further said. Besides, the beneficiaries are given the responsibility to use weighing balance which is stamped and certified by the department of weights and measures. (HD)
Goans have been taken for a stiff financial ride not only my these vendors, but also by corrupt government officials. How many of these vendors are |Non-Goans? Goa needs a new breed of honest politicians.
ReplyDeleteA Telephone complaint hotline and mystery spot checks would also be beneficial to monitor such malpractices.
ReplyDeleteThe "lesse" of Goan orign should also be publicly named and shamed.Why has his name not been witheld from publication.This is surely in the interest of the public.
Depriving Goans, and notably Goan Hindus (vegetarians) of basic and good dietary foods at subsidised prices is surely abhorrent.
Perhaps Niz-Goenkar will soon expose the scoundrel.
So anyone who knows the name and address of this this person please let NG know.