Chandigarh, May 15 (PTI) Punjab Food and Civil Supplies minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu today asked police to file a case against two rice mill owners for misappropriating custom-milled paddy worth Rs 12 crore.

Besides, he also suspended three officials of the The Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (PUNSUP) for laxity in performing the duty.

In a statement issued here, the minister said the department will not spare anybody involved in misappropriation of national assets and any negligence on the part of the employees of the department will invite stern action.

The proceedings for imposing major penalties have been initiated for shortage of paddy equivalent to 96 wagons of rice (worth Rs 7.20 crore) and 63 wagons of rice (worth Rs 4.72 crore) detected in rice mills located at Faridkot and Muktsar, it said.

The embezzlement was noticed during an inspection conducted by the department.

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