New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has decided to probe money laundering charges and foreign exchange violations in the multi-crore Uttar Pradesh foodgrain scam.
Food grains worth 35,000 crore rupees, meant for distribution for the poor, were smuggled out to countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. Mulayam Singh and Mayawati are now blaming each other for the multi-crore scam.
The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ordered the CBI to complete its inquiry and submit its report within 3 to 4 months.
Mulayam claims he ordered the CBI probe. "I was the one to expose the scam and i ordered an inquiry into the scam."
UP food scam came to light in 2004 for the first time when Mulayam Singh was the Chief Minister. And he himself forced to withdraw the enquiry because of pressure from his own party members.
Mayawatyi Government assumed office and recommended a CBI probe into the food grain scam in 2007.
However, the CBI has now been directed by the Court to proceed with further enquiry not only with regard to Ballia, Lakhimpur and Sitapur but also with regard to Varanasi, Gonda and Lucknow districts.
Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar ays, "Our job here is to procure food and send to state, it is up to the state after that to ensure it reaches people. I have heard that UP government has said it will take action, that's a positive step."
ED will also look into possible contraventions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
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