Sugar scam: ACB chief MK Meena initiates probe against AAP government

NEW DELHI: LG-appointed chief of Anti- Corruption Branch MK Meena today ordered a probe and served a notice to the Delhi government based on a complaint alleging irregularities in procurement of sugar, charges rejected by the latter as "totally baseless and defamatory".

Sources in ACB said a complaint was received from RTI activist Vivek Garg, who alleged that Delhi government had bought "huge quantities" of sugar between February and October from two private enterprises at prices much higher than market rates.

"The probe is being supervised by the ACB chief himself and a notice has been issued today asking persons concerned to join the investigation," a source said.

The AAP government and Lt Governor Najeeb Jung were at loggerheads over Meena's appointment in June. The AAP government has been accusing Meena of trying to defame it.

National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Limited ( NAFED) said in a press statement that Delhi government procured sugar from two companies at Rs 33.90 and 30.87 per kg.

"Whereas, since February this year, the maximum price of sugar was around Rs 25 in the wholesale market, Rs 27 in the open market and Rs 20 at the cooperatives connected with the Maharashtra-based sugar mills," Ashok Thakur, Union government nominee in NAFED board of directors, alleged.

In a categorical denial, the government said there is not even "an iota of truth in the allegations" as the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, the nodal agency, procures sugar in a transparent manner through e-tenders.

"After following the due procedure of e-tender, the sugar is purchased from the lowest bidder (L-1) at market competitive rates, hence the question of procuring sugar at any other rate does not arise," it said in a statement.

When contacted, Meena refused to comment on the issue.

Earlier this month, Meena had initiated a probe into alleged irregularities in awarding of advertisement contracts, a charge vehemently denied by the AAP government.