Congress demands CBI probe in rice scam

Bhubaneswar, Jul 9 (UNI) The Orissa unit of the Congress today alleged that rice worth crores of rupees meant for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families was being misappropriated and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.

Senior Congress leader Umesh Swain told newspersons here that though the Centre was providing 1,40,000 tonnes rice free of cost to the poor people under various schemes, the targetted population was not getting the benefits.

Mr Swain alleged that the agents in the stores, in connivance with top officials and ministers, were selling the rice in the open market and pocketting the money.

The Congress leader dubbed the recent government decision to provide 25 kg rice to every BPL family at Rs two per kg as an ''election gimmick'', adding that it would never reach the targetted people.

Mr Swain claimed that the Congress government in the state was the first to provide rice at Rs two per kg to the poor people and alleged that the present government had discontinued the scheme after coming to power.

UNI BD SB DPM RL PM1430