Anti Corruption Branch launches probe into onion scam

NEW DELHI: While the Delhi government rubbished any "scam" in the procurement and sale of onions, its anti-graft body doesn't seem to be in agreement and has decided to probe the entire process for alleged irregularities.

The anti corruption branch (ACB) has launched an enquiry after receiving complaints in this connection early this week. This is expected to set-off fresh confrontations between the center and the Kejriwal government.

ACB chief M K Meena confirmed the development to TOI but refused to share details. "I can not discuss an ongoing investigation but yes, ACB is enquiring into the complaints about a scam," Meena said.

Sources said that the anti corruption branch was in the process of seeking all related documents from the concerned bureaucrats and sending notices to concerned officers. "All those involved with the sale and procurement of onions will be examined," a senior ACB officer said.

The anti corruption branch acted upon complaints received from at least six people including RTI activist Vivek Garg, sources said. It is learnt that Garg and others filed complaints on Monday. Meena has constituted a five-member team of officers to investigate the case thoroughly.

Garg has accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of buying onions at Rs18 per kg and selling them at Rs30 per kg. The government had dismissed reports and said it sold onions at subsidized rates. Garg has backed his claims of alleged fraud by the Delhi government on the basis of an RTI query.

The government, in a statement, had claimed that onions were procured through Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) at Rs32.86 per kg and, after adding transportation and other charges, the total cost of the commodity came to Rs 40 per kg.

However, to provide onions to the consumers at affordable rate, the city government decided to give subsidy of Rs 10 kg and started the sale of onions through 280 fair price shops and mobile vans at Rs 30 per kg, the Delhi government said.