A government-backed food security scheme aimed at providing affordable pulses to households in the Darjeeling hills has come under scrutiny following allegations of irregularities in its implementation.
The Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front (IGJF) on Monday, at a press meet, alleged a ₹300-crore discrepancy involving subsidised chana dal allocated to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
Launched in 2023, the Bharat Brand scheme was designed by the Union government to supply essential commodities such as pulses at subsidised rates of ₹55–₹60 per kg to help households cope with rising food prices.
The programme draws from buffer stocks under the Price Stabilisation Fund and is intended to be implemented through government agencies such as the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF) and the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
Recent RTI applications and statements by the IGJF have raised questions regarding how the scheme was executed in the hill regions.
IGJF Flags ₹300-Crore Discrepancy
At the press meet, IGJF leader Phinzo Wangyal Gurung alleged that 14,000 metric tonnes (MT) of chana dal allocated to the GTA remain unaccounted for. According to the party, the consignment could be worth nearly ₹300 crore in the open market, raising concerns about possible diversion.
“The burden of clarification now rests with the GTA,” Gurung said.
As per IGJF, the GTA had applied on March 5, 2024, seeking 45,000 MT of chana dal under the Bharat Brand scheme to stabilise prices in the region. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) subsequently approved an allocation of 14,000 MT on April 8, 2024, a figure supported by documents accessed through RTI.
RTI Documents Highlight Implementation Questions
RTI records indicate that the GTA cited rising retail prices and the need to ensure affordable protein for households when requesting allocation. However, the documents also point to questions regarding the implementation process.
A private firm, JeevShakti Products Pvt. Ltd., was appointed as the nodal agency responsible for lifting stock, processing, packaging, distribution and making payments on behalf of the GTA.
This appears to differ from standard procedures, which typically involve distribution through government-backed agencies such as NCCF, NAFED and state cooperatives.
Correspondence further suggests that the GTA requested central authorities to accept payments directly from the private company, while maintaining that the firm was not formally designated as a vendor or miller but as an implementing agency.
In September 2024, ₹2.25 crore was reportedly paid upfront by the company to NAFED, raising additional questions regarding financial oversight and process adherence.
Concerns Over Administrative Process and Accountability
The allegations have brought attention to broader concerns regarding administrative procedures, transparency and accountability within the scheme’s execution in the GTA region.
Documents and claims referenced in the public domain point to the appointment of Sanju Chettri as an advisor coordinating directly with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, although clarity regarding his official status remains limited.
There are also indications that communication may have taken place directly between the GTA and central authorities, rather than being routed through the West Bengal government, which would be the usual administrative channel.
Additionally, the reported delegation of operational and financial responsibilities to a private entity in a public welfare scheme has drawn scrutiny. RTI documents suggest that senior GTA officials, including the Principal Secretary and Executive Director, were not central to certain key communications, raising questions about institutional oversight.
A key issue emerging from the available information is the gap between documented allocation and actual distribution. While approvals, allocations and partial payments are reflected in official records, there is limited publicly available data on the quantity of subsidised dal that reached beneficiaries across Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong.
The IGJF has also raised questions regarding accountability, naming GTA leadership in its statements. However, these claims remain allegations and have not yet been independently verified.
Additional Financial References Add to Calls for Inquiry
The issue has been further complicated by references to other entities in related documents. An undertaking by Tirupati Agro Seed Distributors Pvt. Ltd. reportedly distances its financial transactions from the scheme, even as overlapping names and cheque transactions of approximately ₹20 lakh each have been cited in the same timeframe.
These details are not part of RTI disclosures and remain unverified, but they have contributed to calls from various quarters for a comprehensive inquiry.
As of now, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has not issued an official response to the allegations made by the IGJF.
Scheme Under Scrutiny
The Bharat Dal initiative was conceived as a measure to address food inflation and improve access to essential commodities. In the Darjeeling hills, however, its implementation is now under scrutiny due to the concerns raised.
Whether the issue stems from administrative lapses, procedural deviations or other factors remains to be determined.
For now, the matter continues to raise questions regarding implementation, oversight and accountability within the scheme.
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