Now Reading: AAP alleges Rs 22,000 crore rice scam in Delhi government
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AAP alleges Rs 22,000 crore rice scam in Delhi government
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP-led Delhi government of a Rs 22,000 crore rice scam. AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed on Sunday that subsidised rice meant for the…
The Story in Brief
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the BJP-led Delhi government of a Rs 22,000 crore rice scam. AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj claimed on Sunday that subsidised rice meant for the poor was diverted to a private firm in Haryana. He alleged the Food Corporation of India (FCI) supplied 31,000 metric tonnes of rice weekly at subsidised rates to the Delhi government, but the grain was resold in the open market at double the price. Bharadwaj pegged the weekly illicit profit at Rs 143 crore.
The allegations, however, have not been independently verified. Bharadwaj did not provide documentary evidence at the press conference. He claimed the scam was detected by a central vigilance department, but did not name the officials involved or provide details of any action taken. The BJP and FCI have not responded to the charges. This is the third major corruption allegation by AAP against the Rekha Gupta-led government in recent months.
The Indian Opinion
The frenzied headlines about a 'Rs 22,000 crore scam' risk burying the key question: where is the proof? While the AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj claims documents exist, none were released at the press conference. This pattern of levelling massive corruption allegations without immediate evidence has become a tired tactic in Delhi's political slugfest. Before anyone accepts the staggering figure of Rs 143 crore siphoned weekly, independent agencies like the CBI should be allowed to verify the actual FCI grain movement records. That is the only number that will settle this.
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, deccanherald.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
