“After considering the above facts, I feel that the official out of 18186 bags, 17106 bags weighing 13793 quintals for shortage of 3313 quintals caused at the time of auction of said bags by the then Secretary, Food & Supplies had already been exonerated. At that time, the weight of each bag should have been weighed one quintal and accordingly weight of 17106 bags to be 17106 quintals, whereas their weight [17106-13793= 3313] found less. This official is now responsible for the shortage of 4491-3313 = 1178 and 143-38-280 quintals for less excess. Besides this, the temporary [katcha] and unscientific godown, closer of Talwandi Rail Head for one year, non-inviting tenders by the FCI, longer storage etc. were other factors which could not be ignored for the cause of shortage. Thus, in view of the aforementioned facts along with the findings of inquiry report and the plea raised by the officials, I came to the conclusion that the official is not fully responsible for the shortages but he is, however, responsible to some extent. I, therefore, while accepting this appeal order for waiving 80 percent of the recovery out of _7,52,876.95. I further order that the remaining recovery should be affected from his salary @_ 2000/-per month instead of 60%”.
