Tribune News Service
Palwal, November 3
An audio has gone viral today in which one of the callers, claiming to be an MLA, is heard using “un-parliamentary” language with an official of the Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) over the problems in procurement of kharif crops in the mandi of Hodal, a sub-divisional town here.
According to conversation, the MLA identifying himself as Jagdish Nayar, BJP MLA from Hodal, is heard to be talking of the complaints lodged by farmers and others concerned regarding the ongoing procurement and the corruption in the process and allegations of officials of the marketing board allegedly taking money. Nayar allegedly took to strong “un-parliamentary” language when the official on other side identified as Ramesh Goel, District Marketing Enforcement Officer (DMEO), contested the allegations and said the allegations were wrong and charges baseless.
“The conversation turned ugly when I was abused and threatened by the MLA,” claims Goel.
Describing the conversation between him and the MLA true, he said he had communicated the matter to the Chief Administrator, HSAMB, and the SDM, Hodal, as he felt a threat to his life.
Claiming that the reason for the incident could be the inquiry report submitted by him to his office regarding the alleged irregularities in the procurement process at the district level and suspected that some persons involved in this could be close to politicians.
The HSAMB had deputed him to keep a watch on the process and to submit a report on October 17.
MLA Nayar was not available for comment. A person who attended his phone claimed that the MLA was busy in a meeting and was unable to take the call. Later, his number was found to be switched off. HSAMB Chief Administrator Sumedha Kataria said she had received the audio clip from Goel but no written complaint so far. Hodal SDM Sandeep Aggarwal also said he had not received any written complaint in this regard, though an audio was found to be viral.