Complaints of corruption in APMCs reach governor, but minister silent

BENGALURU:  The APMC markets in the city are one of the largest in the state and every day, thousands of farmers and traders do business here. But now, there have been allegations of corruption against the APMC management boards and a complaint has been filed with the governor against the officials involved in alleged corruption.

The traders and merchants allege wrongdoings in the APMC by the officials. For the past few years, there have been serious allegations that the officials are torturing them. If the traders do not give bribes, they are falsely accused of making deals through brokers, the traders claimed.

Social activist Paramesh said there is a lot of corruption in the APMC markets at Yeshwantpur and Dasanapura. Crores of rupees are being looted every month in the name of deploying security guards and garbage collection. “We have complained to the governor against the APMC officials as they are causing loss of crores of rupees to the government by showing false accounts”, he said.

Following the complaint, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has demanded immediate action in this regard and ordered an investigation. But the APMC minister has maintained silence even though the issue has been brought to the attention of the governor.

Paramesh added that since the government has changed, new office-bearers have been appointed and a third secretary has been appointed giving scope for more corruption. He also questioned why the minister concerned was not acting on the issue.