Foodgrain scam: Govt says not against CBI probe

The state government today clarified that it is not against a CBI probe into alleged diversion of foodgrains meant for below-poverty-line families in the state to Bangladesh and Nepal.

The state government today clarified that it is not against a CBI probe into alleged diversion of foodgrains meant for below-poverty-line families in the state to Bangladesh and Nepal. It was providing all facilities required by the CBI to probe the foodgrain scam,it added.

Reacting to media reports about the state governments move to challenge an Allahabad High Court order directing a CBI probe,Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh said the special leave petition filed by the UP government was regarding a particular part of the judgment in which it is asked to grant sanction for prosecution of delinquent officials within a certain period. There are contradictions between the judgment and provisions of law,Singh said,explaining why the state government moved the apex court.

Singh said Chief Minister Mayawati herself wrote a letter to the Government of India on December 1,2007,asking for a CBI probe into complaints regarding distribution of foodgrain. He said the state had even sent a reminder to the Centre on January 6,2008. However,the Government of India rejected the plea. The CBI finally accepted nine cases relating to diversion of foodgrains in Ballia and Lakhimpur following a high court order in a writ petition number 122/2005.

The CBI is currently probing related cases in the districts of Ballia,Kheri,Sitapur,Lucknow,Varanasi and Gonda,Singh said. The states Special Investigation Team handles probes related to Hardoi,Ramabai Nagar,Shahjahanpur,Saint Ravidas Nagar,Basti,Lalitpur and Allahabad. The UP Economic Offences Wing is probing Hamirpur,Mahoba,Mathura and Jaunpur. The UP food cell has been tasked with Balrampur,Bahraich and Shrawasti districts.

The CBI has so far not sought sanction for prosecution of any government officials,Singh added.

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