The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has said that the Assam Social Welfare Department procured excessive rates and gave undue benefits of over ₹94 crore to rice and pea suppliers in 2019-20. It also added the report tabled in the state assembly last week.
According to sources, the CAG has observed market prices of rice and white peas at ₹40 and ₹62 per kg. It added that the total bill should have been ₹ 297.70 crore, including transportation for procurement of rice and peas.
It was later found that the suppliers had demanded ₹392.03 crore and the department had paid that amount.
The report said that an undue advantage of ₹ 94.32 crore was given to suppliers by paying ₹ 392.03 crore for food items estimated to cost ₹ 297.70 crore.
