Demands were made in Lok Sabha for a CBI probe into the alleged "scam" in paddy procurement in Bihar, with members claiming that the irregularities are between Rs 40,000 crore and Rs 50,000 crore and could be compared to the infamous Fodder scam.
Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, Sushil Kumar Singh (BJP) cited the recent CAG report and said the "scam" can be compared to the Fodder scam.
"There has been irregularity in the procurement of paddy in Bihar. Paddy was transported to rice mills on motor cycles, scooters, cycles etc as was the case with regard to fodder scam," he said.
Irregularities to the tune of over Rs 40,500 crore have been pointed out by CAG, the BJP member from Bihar said.
A CBI investigation should be ordered in this regard so that entire truth can come out.
Expelled RJD leader Pappu Yadav also stated the same and said the matter should be thoroughly investigated.
"In many cases money was not deposited in the account of farmers...CAG report has alleged that millers have benefit largely," he said, adding it should be investigated by no less agency than CBI.
Speaking on the same issue, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said even Patna High Court has taken cognisance of paddy scam.
Earlier this week, CAG alleged irregularities to the tune of over Rs 50,000 crore in procurement and milling of paddy meant for distribution of rice to poor through ration shops at subsidised rates.
Lapses that have been pointed out in the CAG report tabled in Parliament today, include undue benefits to the rice millers and discrepancies in payment of nearly Rs 18,000 crore as support price to paddy farmers without authentication.
The audit involved scrutiny of records of the central government agency FCI (Food Corporation of India), as also that of state governments and their agencies in Chhattisgarh, UP, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) suggested revisiting the existing procurement and milling plans and suggested the government should transfer minimum support price to accounts of farmers directly.
Sirajuddin Ajmal (AIUDF) said Assam was four times prone
to soil erosion and floods and 80 per cent of people affected were minorities.
After the floods, people lose their documents and have no proof of citizenship and were hence faced with prospects of being considered as foreigners, he said while noting that his party was against foreigners. He urged the government to take necessary steps to avert such situations.
Raising the issue of suspension of a BSF commandant and seven jawans for firing on gold smugglers which claimed the life of a Bangladeshi smuggler on the Indo-Bangla border, Chintamani Malviya (BJP) demanded that the action against these personnel must be revoked. He said such actions weakened the morale of the force.
Naranbhai Kachhadia (BJP) demanded setting up of a Centre of Excellence in cotton in Gujarat, while Rajan Vichare (Shiv Sena) demanded expeditious completion of underground road connecting Thane and Borivali.
K Geetha (YSRCP) demanded effective implementation of Mudra scheme meant for SC and ST enteprenuers.
Prem Singh Chandumajra (Akali Dal) demanded that two MPs - one from the Lower House and another from Rajya Sabha - be nominated to the Nanded Sikh shrine.
K Parasuraman (AIADMK) asked for having the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Suvidha mobile app in regional languages as well so that so that farmers can get valuable informtion.
(Reopens PAR14)
K V Thomas (Cong) made a strong plea to have a wage board for journalists and non-journalists in the electronic media as was available for those in the print media.
He said that television as an industry was non-existent when the Working Journalists Act, 1955 was enacted.
Journalist and non-journalist employees in the TV industry and its various off-shoots, including web portals run by TV channels, do not come under its ambit, he said.
The House also extended its best wishes to Deepa Karmakar and other athletes participating in the Rio Olympics.
Members thumped their desks when Sankar Prasad Datta (CPI-M) hailed Deepa, the first Indian woman gymnast, to reach the final round and wished her and other aspirants well.
