Its raining scams in india.one per month.
Multi-crore food scam erupts
6 Dec 2010, 1921 hrs IST
A major political war breaks out over the food scam. The Centre pins blame on the then Mulayam Singh led Samajwadi Party government in mid 2000. It's the biggest scam emanating from one of the poorest states in the country - a Rs 2000 crore scam where food meant for the poorest of poor was intentionally, deliberately and systematically lifted and sold in open markets, both home and abroad.
Political parties have reacted strongly as the food scam erupts and takes a political colour, and the observations of the Allahabad High court leads to a massive political controversy.
Reaction from the Centre come in after the High Court's observation on the food scam - a scam that stretched to almost 7 years and 5000 FIRs. The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court finally on Friday ordered the state investigative agencies to refer to the CBI and wrap up the investigations in 6 months.
The scam is believed to have been orchestrated between 2003 and 2007 when Mulayam Singh Yadav was the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.
What the court said:
The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court on Friday made some stinging observations slamming the highest authorities in the state for colluding to snatch food from India's poorest.
'Higher authorities snatched foodgrain'
- The court observed that there was prima facie no doubt that the foodgrains meant for poor and downtrodden had been smuggled and none of that could have happened without the involvement of higher authorities.
Collusion across India in food scam?
- The court also observed that transportation by goods train to far corners of the countries indicate that smuggling happened in collusion with authorities.
'Courts can't be muste spectators'
- The court went on to say that the judiciary could not remain mute spectators especially in light of recent corruption scams that had caused huge damage to national development
'Don't spare anyone this time'
- The court also slammed the government and said that it could not sit in appeal over discretion exercised by the court while supervising the investigation in the matter.
Petitioner Vishwanath Chaturvedi says a cover up has been on for a long time and according to him the scam is believed to be bigger than the 2G spectrum scam or even the Kargil for profit and CWG scam, running into 200000 crore rupees.
The Samajwadi Party who's government was at the heart are not saying much.
The BSP has welcomed the HC observation and said that they would follow court's order.
Former SP leader Amar Singh though refused to comment and said he will reply to whatever allegations in the court.
