Jaipur, 8 January. A big scam of about Rs 2000 crore has been exposed in the name of providing food grains to school students under the State Mid Day Meal Scheme run by the state government during the period of school closure during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this case, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Rajasthan has registered a case against CONFED officials and 21 named accused associated with private firms. With the aim of providing nutrition to the students during the pandemic, a combo pack containing pulses, oil, spices etc. was supplied through CONFED. These packets were claimed to be in compliance with FSSAI and Agmark standards and were being delivered door-step to schools in the state.

However, after receiving complaints of huge irregularities and corruption in the implementation of the scheme, the ACB started a preliminary investigation, after which a detailed investigation revealed shocking facts. ACB investigation found that officials associated with the Mid Day Meal Scheme and CONFED officials in collusion made changes in the rules as part of a well-planned conspiracy. Through this, eligible and deserving firms were excluded from the tender process, while tenders were allotted to favored firms giving undue benefits. These firms further illegally sublet the goods to other entities, thereby creating an organized network of fake suppliers and transporters.

The investigation also revealed that in many cases fake bills of higher rates were submitted without actually purchasing and supplying the material. Government payments were withdrawn on the basis of these forged bills. Thus, through fraud, forgery and collusion, a direct financial loss of about Rs 2000 crore was caused to the state exchequer.

A case has been registered in the ACB against the following persons and institutions posted during the scheme period after being found involved in the case – Sanvatram (Assistant Accounts Officer, CONFED), Rajendra (Manager, Civil Supplies, CONFED), Lokesh Kumar Bapna (Manager, Civil Supplies, CONFED), Pratibha Saini (Assistant Manager, CONFED), Yogendra Sharma, posted during the scheme period, after being found involved in the said case. (Manager, Planning, CONFED), Rajendra Singh Shekhawat (Manager, CONFED), Ramdhan Bairwa (Warehouse Keeper, Marketing Section, CONFED), Dinesh Kumar Sharma (Supervisor, Marketing Section, CONFED), Kanwaljit Singh Ranawat, Madhur Yadav, Tribhuvan Yadav, Satish Mulchand Vyas, Deepak Vyas, Ritesh Yadav, Shailesh Saxena (Regional Manager, Central Stores), B.C. A case has been registered in Anti Corruption Bureau, Rajasthan against the proprietors of M/s Tirupati Suppliers, M/s Jagrat Enterprises, M/s MT Enterprises and M/s Sai Trading along with Joshi (Deputy Manager, Kendriya Bhandar), Chandan Singh (Assistant Manager, Kendriya Bhandar).

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Govind Gupta said that the ACB is thoroughly investigating the facts to the role of the accused, financial transactions, forgery of documents and misuse of government funds in the case. Evidence collection, record scrutiny and other necessary investigative actions are ongoing. Strict action will be taken against the culprits as per law.