The CBI conducted raids at eight places in Punjab, besides at Patna, Meerut, Hyderabad. Residences of FCI officers named in the FIR with regard to the supply of substandard rice from Punjab to deficit states were also raided. The residence of Siva Prasad was raided in Sector 38 here.The CBI seized documents pertaining to property besides imported liquor from the residence of certain officers.
The racket of procuring substandard rice had caused a loss of Rs 700 crore. It was informally conveyed by the FCI authorities in New Delhi to the Punjab Government recently.
The Tribune had carried out detailed reports regarding the scandal and the modus operandi used to deceive the authorities concerned as far as procurement of the substandard rice is concerned.
Siva Prasad was posted here as Senior Regional Manager in the regional office that deals with Punjab. He was recently relieved of his charge but not sent back to the parent state. The charge of the regional office (Punjab) was given to Mr T.C. Gupta, who is posted as Senior Regional Manager in regional office that deals with Haryana.
The CBI had registered three cases against various officials, including technical assistants, assistant managers (quality control), district managers and Siva Prasad, under Sections 120-B and 420 of the IPC and various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI team, which swooped on the residence of Siva Prasad early this morning, continued its search operation till late evening. Whether it has taken Siva Prasad into custody is not known. The teams also conducted raids at Bathinda, Sangrur, Ferozepore, Mohali, Patna and Meerut.
At Mohali, the team, led by a DSP, conducted the raid on the house of M.S. Sarang in Phase-III (A) and Amarjit Singh Brar in Phase IV. However, Brar was not at home at the time of raid. The team, the sources said, also searched the residence of Jagmohan Verma, Deputy General Manager, FCI, who was posted in Punjab.
The sources said the substantial consignments of rice had been procured in Punjab by various FCI officials in connivance with private rice millers.
To verify the information, joint surprise checks were conducted on September 29, 30 and October 1 last year and 451 samples were taken from 12 locations in the state.
The report of sample analysis had revealed that poor quality of rice was accepted by FCI officials of Punjab. Out of 451 samples taken, only 13 samples, that is less than 3 per cent, were found within prescribed specifications, whereas 97 per cent rice samples were found of substandard quality and more than 20 per cent were not even fit for consumption.
After relieving Siva Prasad, the Union Government had started an operation to cleanse the rice and paddy procurement operations. Acting tough against millers and its officials, the FCI had blacklisted 166 mills and chargesheeted 164 officials.
