Rice Procurement – Delhi Ministers Trade Charges Over Subsidised Rice Plan
Rice Procurement – A fresh political dispute has erupted in Delhi over the proposed procurement and distribution of subsidised rice, with allegations of financial irregularities leading to a threat of legal action. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has warned Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bharadwaj and AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha of legal proceedings unless they withdraw their allegations and issue a public apology within 24 hours.
The controversy centres on claims made by Bharadwaj regarding the proposed supply of subsidised rice to poor and needy residents of the national capital. The AAP leader has questioned how the rice was being procured, distributed and ultimately accounted for under the arrangement proposed by the BJP-led Delhi government.
Bharadwaj Raises Questions Over Rice Distribution
During a press conference, Bharadwaj alleged that the Rekha Gupta government, along with a corporation based in Assam, had approached the Food Corporation of India (FCI) seeking subsidised rice for distribution among economically weaker sections in Delhi.
According to Bharadwaj, the proposal involved procuring approximately 31,000 metric tonnes of rice every week. He alleged that the grain was not reaching the people for whom it was intended and was instead being sold to a private company in Haryana.
Bharadwaj further claimed that the rice was being procured at around Rs 23.20 per kilogram and subsequently sold in the open market for approximately Rs 46 per kilogram. On that basis, he estimated a difference of nearly Rs 23 per kilogram and alleged that the arrangement could generate about Rs 143 crore a week.
AAP Claims Three-Year Arrangement Could Reach Rs 22,000 Crore
The AAP leader alleged that the proposed arrangement was designed to continue for three years and could involve transactions worth around Rs 22,000 crore. He described the alleged financial implications as a major concern and sought an explanation from the Delhi government regarding the procurement and distribution process.
AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha also questioned the manner in which the subsidised rice was being purchased and what happened to it after procurement. The party leaders said they would make documents connected with the matter public and called for greater transparency from the government.
Sirsa Rejects Allegations and Issues Legal Warning
Responding to the accusations, Sirsa rejected the allegations and described them as false, fabricated and malicious. In a post on X, he accused Bharadwaj and Jha of attempting to damage his reputation and said the allegations were intended to malign him.
Sirsa gave the two AAP leaders 24 hours to withdraw their statements and publicly apologise. He said that failure to do so would leave him with no option but to pursue appropriate legal remedies.
The dispute has therefore moved beyond political criticism, with the possibility of legal proceedings now hanging over the allegations made by the AAP leaders. The claims regarding the proposed rice arrangement remain allegations and have been publicly disputed by Sirsa.
BJP Minister Revives Questions Over Previous AAP Government
Separately, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Sunday levelled allegations against the previous AAP administration, referring to findings mentioned in a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
Singh claimed that tax revenue amounting to Rs 70,410 crore remained outstanding during the period under scrutiny. He also alleged that bogus E-way bills worth Rs 68,680 crore had been generated.
The minister further alleged that electricity subsidies totalling Rs 42 crore were provided in cases involving consumers who were not eligible for the benefit, which he said resulted in a loss to the government exchequer.
The exchange of allegations comes as both political parties continue to challenge each other over financial management and the use of public funds in Delhi. Any final determination regarding the claims will depend on documentary evidence, official records and the findings of the relevant authorities.