Probes on fertiliser fraud launched

by L. S. Ananda Wedaarachchi

The Police and the Internal Audit Division of the Agriculture Ministry have launched two separate investigations on the Rs. 850 million subsidized fertiliser fraud which was highlighted by the Auditor General in August 2009.

A spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry said that all documents relating to the fraud had been taken over by the audit division. Statements have already been recorded from the officers concerned in this regard, he said.

Investigation have revealed that the Anuradhapura Agricultural Crop Cultivators Association (AACCA) which obtained fertilizer for distribution to farmers has failed to do so as alleged by the farmers who are yet to receive their fertilizer stocks. They suspect foul play by the association.

“The AACCA was removed from the fertilizer distribution activities immediately and the fertiliser stocks which were with AACCA were taken back by the Colombo Commercial Company as instructed by the Agriculture Ministry, he said.

Colombo Commercial Fertilizer Company and Colombo Fertiliser Company have been instructed not to issue fertiliser to Agrarian Services Centres ASC through registered non-governmental organizations such as AACCA - but to issue them direct to ASCs.

However a well regulated program has been implemented to distribute fertiliser to the beneficiaries.