Subsidised rice meant for labourers sold to traders: CBI probes Rs 28-crore ‘scam’

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities in the distribution of subsidised rice in Delhi, according to a report by the CBI. Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa is mentioned in the CBI FIR, with officials in his department said to have acted after discussing with him, reported Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj at a press conference.

The CBI has registered an FIR alleging that officials in Sirsa's department acted after discussing with him, and Bharadwaj has demanded the CBI investigate his role in the alleged scam. The FIR alleges that the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) clearly stated that rice was meant for daily wage workers and the poor who do not have ration cards.

Sirsa, who is the minister for food and supplies, denied the allegations made by the AIADMK and threatened legal action against the party leaders, giving them 24 hours to withdraw their allegations and issue a public apology or face legal proceedings.