UP transfers foodgrain scam probe to SIT

Lucknow, June 27 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government today ordered transfer of three ongoing probes pertaining to a foodgrain scam and public distribution system irregularities to the newly-formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) which would hand over its report within three months.

In the year 2004, a foodgrain scam was detected in Ballia and Gonda districts of the state. While the High Court had suggested a CBI probe, the then state government had handed over the probe to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). It was pointed out that the role of transporters in the alleged scam was not probed properly. Keeping this in mind, Chief Minister Mayawati today announced handing over the probe to the SIT.

The government has asked the SIT to complete the three probes in three months time.

The second probe pertains to a PDS scam in Lakhimpur Kheri district where foodgrain, sugar and kerosene oil were being sold in the open market. The initial probes have found that officials were not following the guidelines issued by the government. The responsibility of transporting the commodities was handed over to old contractors instead of the Essential Commodities Corporation.

''Following the slow pace of investigation, the government has decided to hand over the probe to the SIT,'' the CM said.

The third scam was detected in the public distribution system spread across 24 districts. This scam came to light between the year 2004-06 where it was found that foodgrains were not sent to godowns for further distribution but were sold in the black market.

UNI