In a major crackdown, the Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday registered a formal case concerning an alleged scam worth approximately Rs 2,000 crore linked to the state's midday meal scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
FIR Names 21 Accused in Multi-Crore Fraud
The First Information Report (FIR) lists a total of 21 individuals and entities as accused. This includes officials from the Rajasthan State Cooperative Consumer Federation Ltd, popularly known as Confed, along with representatives from various private firms and suppliers. They have been formally booked under charges of criminal conspiracy, forgery, and the misuse of government funds.
The case stems from a scheme initiated when schools across the state were shut due to the pandemic. Instead of cooked meals, a decision was taken to supply food packs containing essential items like pulses, oil, and spices directly to students' doorsteps through Confed. The supplies were mandated to adhere strictly to quality standards set by FSSAI and Agmark.
How the Alleged Scam Unfolded
The ACB initiated a preliminary inquiry following numerous complaints of large-scale irregularities during the 2020-21 period. The investigation uncovered a deep-rooted conspiracy. Officials allegedly manipulated the tender process by tweaking eligibility criteria, effectively disqualifying qualified companies from bidding.
This ensured that contracts were cornered by a select group of favoured private firms. These companies then further sublet the work to shell entities, creating an elaborate fake supply chain involving non-existent suppliers and transporters. Investigators found that little to no actual procurement or delivery of materials took place in many instances.
Fake Bills and Substandard Supplies
The probe revealed a brazen method of fraud. Fake bills were generated and submitted for payments without any corresponding purchase or supply. Government funds were obtained based on these bogus and heavily inflated invoices.
In cases where some material was actually supplied, it is suspected that substandard items were provided. These were then falsely certified as meeting all prescribed quality and safety norms, putting students' health at risk and defrauding the exchequer.
Massive Financial Loss to State Treasury
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has estimated that this intricate web of fraud caused a financial loss of around Rs 2,000 crore to the state exchequer. Based on the concrete findings of the preliminary inquiry, the ACB proceeded to register the FIR.
The accused named in the document include Confed officials, staff from central warehouses, and several private individuals and firms involved in the alleged racket. The case marks a significant step in the state's efforts to probe corruption in welfare schemes during the pandemic era.
