Massive corruption surfaces in tractor subsidy scheme

A massive corruption in the tractor subsidy scheme of the Sindh Agriculture Department has recently emerged. An inquiry into the tractor subsidy scheme revealed that the accused M/s Shahzad Trade Link Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Belarus Tractors’ agent Shahzad Riaz worked as a dealer to deliver tractors to growers and emerged successful under subsidised tractors scheme, from 2009 to 2012. Shahzad Riaz was supposed to deliver tractor to the growers and to claim a subsidy of Rs 300,000 per tractor.  As many as 5780 tractors were purportedly delivered by him to the growers. But actually, on the ground, he did not do so; however, he received a subsidy worth Rs 1.45 billion, fraudulently. The record further revealed that Shahzad Riaz received a cash payment and generated invoices on the names of growers and claimed a huge subsidy from the government, evidently in connivance with the three Sindh Agriculture Department’s officials. The anti-corruption establishment adopted the legal procedure and sent the matter to ACC-I for further necessary legal action. After obtaining approval from ACC-I, ACE registered an FIR against contractor Shahzad Riaz and the three officials; further investigation on the matter is underway. However, in case No. 29/2017, the investigation officer (IO) conducted a raid at a house in DHA’s residential area and successfully took custody of Amir and Ahsan, who were busy in destroying the record (evidence) related to tractor subsidy scheme case. It is pertinent to mention here that the other day, ACE booked Shahzad Riaz and agriculture department’s officials in the corruption case. It is further stated that the accused; Amir and Ahsan, were caught red-handed while tampering and destroying the evidence. They were being abetted by other six accomplices, including Zain and Fazal. Two of the main perpetrators; Amir and Ahsan have been arrested. The remaining six are being interrogated and would soon be included in the investigation”.