APMC traders accuse officials of taking bribes

BENGALURU: After the Contractors’ Association, now the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) has now become a hub for commission agents, with allegations of massive corruption.

Traders have accused APMC officials of taking bribes for allotment of warehouses, and illegal activities to the tune of crores of rupees are going on, they claimed.

A complaint has been filed against APMC officials with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), including Agricultural Marketing Minister Shivanand Patil, alleging that the officials demand hefty commissions, approaximately Rs 20 lakh to Rs 30 lakhs, to get a job done. According to the government, traders supposed to pay Rs 40,000 in advance.

A complaint has been filed with the Lokayukta, alleging corruption in the allocation of godowns at Dasanapura, with allegations that traders are forced to pay bribes to get storage space.

The complaint, filed by Arun Parameshwar, alleges that government officials are acting as brokers and that the minister and officials are aware of the corruption and are involved in it.

The complainant said there were 103 shops, but 105 applications were received. A certain rate has been fixed for operational shops and front-facing shops. “Already, Rs 9 crore have been collected. On March 29th, deals were made with traders inside the office in the evening”, the complaint alleged.

He further said, “We have sought to view CCTV footage. Those who were supposed to provide benefits to farmers have instead engaged in corruption. No benefits have reached the farmers, but these individuals have taken care of themselves. Largescale corruption has taken place. Minister Shivanand Patil is also allegedly involved, and a complaint has been filed against him with the Enforcement Directorate (ED)”.

Another trader alleged that the secretary was demanding Rs 1 lakh for issuing a possession deed. The traders are forced to give bribes at every  stage to  get the front rows and if it is not paid, they are alloted insignificant slots, they said.