Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
India

Akali Dal seeks CBI probe into Rs 500 crore wheat, flour delivery 'scam' in Punjab

Darpan News Desk, 05 Mar, 2024 03:16 PM
  • Akali Dal seeks CBI probe into Rs 500 crore wheat, flour delivery 'scam' in Punjab

Chandigarh, March 4 (IANS) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday demanded a CBI probe into the home delivery of wheat and flour in Punjab by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging Rs 500 crore would be looted from the treasury by allotting this work to Delhi-based companies close to AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal.

Addressing the media here, senior party leaders Parambans Singh Romana and Winnerjit Goldy claimed that contracts worth Rs 655 crore had been awarded to two companies owned by Kejriwal confidant R.K. Mittal without advertising the tender document in any newspaper of Punjab.

"The entire tender was tailor-made for these selected companies, one of whom – R.K. Associates supplied food in Shatabdi trains," they said, alleging that a scam was being perpetrated at every stage of the home delivery service with the companies being awarded a delivery cost of Rs 24 crore per month to deliver wheat and flour at a cost of Rs 3 per kg within a radius of eight km only.

They said similarly Rs 3 per kg rate had been awarded to repackage wheat at a cost of Rs 14.40 crore per month and Rs 5.50 per kg to mill wheat to supply as flour at a cost of Rs 17.60 crore per month, and this entire cost, if calculated for the entire year, came to Rs 384 crore.

Romana and Goldy said the companies would use 16 lakh Markfed bags to distribute both wheat and flour and that the same would be retained with the companies which would result in a pilferage of Rs 108 crore. The bag with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s picture which would be delivered to the beneficiaries along with wheat and flour would entail a further cost of Rs 125 crore.

Besides, Rs 65,000 per month was being paid for management of wheat and flour at 800 company shops which would be manned by two persons.

Asserting that the state would be burdened to the tune of Rs 655 crore by this scheme whose sole purpose was to woo the electorate in other states prior to the Lok Sabha elections, the SAD leaders said the same was being done by ration depot holders at a cost of 47 paisa per kg and involved a total cost of only Rs 45 crore per annum.

"This is a massive scam as the entire home delivery can be done at a fraction of the cost," the leaders asserted. They also disclosed that a further Rs 300 to Rs 400 crore were likely to be spent on advertising the scheme in Punjab and in other states entailing a total cost of Rs 1,000 crore to the state exchequer.

"It is clear that at least Rs 500 crore is being pilfered to finance AAP at the cost of Punjab and this deserves a CBI probe," the Akali Dal leaders added.

Punjab Depot Dealers Federation President Sukhwinder Kanjla said besides taking away the livelihood of 18,000 depot holders as well as others associated with them, the scheme would also inconvenience the beneficiaries. He said the depot holders were giving wheat to the beneficiaries for a period of three months in one go and were available round the clock while now beneficiaries would get wheat and flour every month at specific times during the day which would not be convenient for daily wagers.

MORE India ARTICLES

Out of 678 winning candidates in 5 states, 253 have criminal cases; maximum 114 from Congress

Out of 678 winning candidates in 5 states, 253 have criminal cases; maximum 114 from Congress
Out of 678 winning candidates analysed from the five states of Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram that went to the polls recently, 253 have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, with the maximum from the Congress which has 114 winning members facing criminal cases, a report said on Thursday. The report also revealed that in Telangana 69 per cent of the winning candidates have criminal cases against them.  

Out of 678 winning candidates in 5 states, 253 have criminal cases; maximum 114 from Congress

Parliament security breach: Accused Lalit Jha arrested

Parliament security breach: Accused Lalit Jha arrested
The fifth accused and alleged mastermind of the Parliament security breach incident, Lalit Jha, was arrested from the national capital on Thursday, police said. As per police sources, Jha had allegedly organised a clandestine meeting in Gurugram on Tuesday, a day before the incident.  

Parliament security breach: Accused Lalit Jha arrested

Agra Metro to generate power from third rail

Agra Metro to generate power from third rail
In a unique initiative, the Agra Metro is laying the third rail traction system that will generate power for the trains. The network will not have OHE (Overhead equipment) which often tends to trip whenever it comes in contact with some other projects. The third rail traction work has already completed in Agra Metro Rail Depot and on the elevated section.

Agra Metro to generate power from third rail

Six held with fake gold, counterfeit currency in Assam

Six held with fake gold, counterfeit currency in Assam
Assam Police arrested six people with suspected fake gold items and counterfeit Indian currency notes in Guwahati, officials said on Wednesday. The arrests were made during an operation conducted by the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Tuesday.

Six held with fake gold, counterfeit currency in Assam

NIA, I-T raids at 26 locations in B’luru

NIA, I-T raids at 26 locations in B’luru
The sleuths of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Income Tax (I-T) department conducted simultaneous raids in more than 26 locations in Bengaluru separately on Wednesday. The sleuths of NIA conducted the search operation and raided more than 12 locations in Bengaluru following the arrest of suspected terrorist Ali Abbas with IS connections in a recent raid (December 9) in the state capital.  

NIA, I-T raids at 26 locations in B’luru

Absconding member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang nabbed in Delhi

Absconding member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang nabbed in Delhi
One more member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang was arrested for his alleged involvement in an extortion plan, the police said on Wednesday. The arrested individual was identified as Mohan Jaiswal, a resident of Bawana. Earlier, on December 8, after a exchange of fire, a team of Delhi Police Special Cell has apprehended two members, including a 15-year-old juvenile.

Absconding member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang nabbed in Delhi