AAP Demands CBI Probe Minister Sirsa Over Delhi Rice Diversion Scam
· India · Hindustan Times, Indian Express
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded on Tuesday that the CBI investigate Delhi Food and Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa's role in an alleged rice diversion scam involving losses of over ₹28 crore to the Food Corporation of India. AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj, citing the CBI FIR registered on August 31, claimed that officials in Sirsa's department issued a no-objection certificate for subsidised rice meant for daily wage labourers, which was later passed to a Haryana-based businessman for a commission. The CBI FIR alleges irregularities in allocating subsidised rice through the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), Guwahati, including diversion of 31,000 MT per week of rice to traders, pressure on officials, and preparation of false distribution records. Sirsa had last month denied the allegations and given AAP leaders 24 hours to withdraw them and apologise or face legal action. Bharadwaj said he and other party workers plan to meet Delhi L
Why it matters
The demand escalates a direct political confrontation in Delhi between AAP and the BJP-led Delhi dispensation over a ₹28 crore subsidy scandal, and puts ministerial accountability squarely before the CBI. If the probe extends to Sirsa, it could reshape Delhi's ruling-coalition dynamics and intensify scrutiny of how subsidised food grain meant for the poor is allocated.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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