Directorate of Revenue Intelligence unearths scam of diversion of Basmati rice to Dubai

NEW DELHI: Revenue Department has detected a scam relating to diversion of Basmati rice meant from Iran to Dubai, government informed Parliament today.

"Yes," replied Minister of State for Finance Minister Jayant Sinha to a question in the Lok Sabha as to whether a "massive scam" in the export of high quality Basmati rice has been unearthed in the recent past.

In the written reply, Sinha said the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence "had detected cases of diversion of Basmati rice export wherein consignments or rice meant for Iran were diverted to Dubai".

The payments for the goods were made in Indian rupees instead of freely convertible foreign currency "by misusing" the facilities granted to the goods actually exported to Iran, he added.

Sinha, however, did not provide details regarding the case but replied in negative to a question whether any agency involved in the scam has been identified.