The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR in connection with what it has described as a Rs 2,000 crore scam linked to the supply of food items under the state’s mid-day meal scheme during theCovid-19 pandemic. A total of 21 individuals, including government officials and private suppliers, have been booked in the case.
As per a report by The Indian Express, ACB officials stated that the alleged irregularities took place when schools were closed during the pandemic and combo food packs consisting of pulses, spices, cooking oil, and other essentials were distributed to students. These supplies were routed through the Rajasthan State Cooperative Consumers’ Federation Limited (CONFED) and were meant to be delivered directly to schools, with claims that they met FSSAI and Agmark standards. CONFED, Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau, latest news on what is rajastahn Rs 2,000 crore scam, rajasthan news
How did the alleged manipulation happen?
As per the ACB’s preliminary probe, officials related to the mid-day meal scheme and CONFED worked in collusion to bend procurement rules. This resulted in the exclusion of the eligible firms from the tender process, whereas contracts were allegedly awarded to favoured companies, giving them undue advantages.
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Investigators stated that the firms that were holding contracts illegally handed over the work to other entities. As a result, it created an organised network of fake suppliers and transporters. In several cases, inflated and forged invoices were submitted without actual purchase or supply of food items, following which payments were released from the government funds.
The ACB stated that this systematic manipulation involving fake billing, forgery, and collusion led to a substantial loss to the state exchequer, estimated at Rs 2,000 crore.
Officials and firms are under the scanner
The FIR includes names of several CONFED officials, such as assistant accounts officer Sanvatram, managers Lokesh Kumar Bapna, Yogendra Sharma, Rajendra, and Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, assistant manager Pratibha Saini, supervisor Dinesh Kumar Sharma, and warehouse keeper Ramdhan Bairwa. Officials from Central Bhandar, regional managers, and deputy managers have also been booked.
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Private firms, including Jagrut Enterprise, Sai Trading, Tirupati Suppliers, and MT Enterprise, along with their proprietors’ and other individuals’ names, are also in the list, as per a report by PTI.
The ACB mentioned that it is conducting a detailed probe into the alleged document forgery. Financial transactions and misuse of public funds.
Officials said that the records are being probed, proof is being collected, and strict legal action will be taken against those who will be found guilty. |
