Massive 'Rice Scam' Rocks Delhi: AAP & BJP Trade Fiery ₹22,000 Cr Accusations!
Massive 'Rice Scam' Rocks Delhi: AAP & BJP Trade Fiery ₹22,000 Cr Accusations!
A political storm engulfs Delhi as AAP and BJP clash over a colossal ₹22,000 crore 'rice scam'. Allegations of diverted subsidized grains for the poor, counter-claims, and legal threats intensify the battle. Get the full
A fresh political firestorm has erupted in Delhi, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading serious corruption allegations concerning a massive "rice scam." The Opposition claims irregularities in the procurement and sale of heavily subsidised rice meant for Delhi's underprivileged, alleging a racket potentially worth ₹22,000 crore over three years.
AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj ignited the controversy, alleging that on the recommendation of Food Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s department, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) had agreed to supply 31,000 tonnes of subsidised rice weekly to the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) in Assam. This rice was intended for distribution among Delhi’s poor for a period of three years. However, Bharadwaj claimed that NERAMAC allegedly sold the rice to a private company in Haryana at nearly double the price, generating an estimated ₹70 crore to ₹71 crore in commission each week. Over three years, this would amount to ₹22,000 crore in rice value and ₹11,000 crore in illicit commissions.
Bharadwaj further stated that this alleged "racket" was detected by the Central government’s vigilance officials, leading to the suspension of an officer. Despite this, he criticised the Delhi government for its silence on the matter and demanded that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta seek Mr. Sirsa’s resignation and hold those responsible accountable for the purported scam.
In a swift and sharp response, Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh denied AAP's allegations. He countered by citing a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, tabled in the Assembly on August 7, which purportedly highlighted "large-scale financial irregularities" during AAP’s 11-year tenure in the Capital. Separately, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the Food Supplies Minister implicated by AAP, vehemently denied all allegations. He threatened legal action against AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha, giving them a 24-hour ultimatum to withdraw their claims and issue a public apology. Sirsa vowed to initiate appropriate legal proceedings if they failed to comply, calling the allegations "baseless, false, fabricated and malicious."
The escalating war of words underscores a deepening political rift, with serious implications for public trust and the welfare of the city's poor. Both parties stand firm on their positions, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle.
