UP govt recommends CBI probe into Rs 37,000 cr foodgrain scam

Lucknow, Dec 1 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government today recommended a CBI probe into the alleged misappropriation of Rs 37,000 crore of public money in the foodgrain scam of 2004.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was entrusted with the task of probing the scam by the Mayawati government in August, has in its preliminary report suggested a CBI probe, indicating that high-profile politicians and bureaucrats might be involved in the scam.

On the basis of preliminary SIT observations, the state government ordered a CBI probe into the scam, which had taken place in some of the UP districts in 2004, state Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told reporters here this evening.

In this scam, the foodgrains meant for Public Distribution System were diverted in the market in a stark incident of misuse of government funds.

In fact, several officers had already been booked after being found guilty. During the last few years, several such irregularities had been detected in Lakhimpur Kheri and Gonda districts.

UNI