LG protecting ration mafia, claims CM citing CAG report

NEW DELHI: Citing the CAG report highlighting 'lapses' in the public distribution system, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacked Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for "rejecting" the AAP government's proposed doorstep delivery of ration and charged him with "protecting" ration mafia in Delhi.

Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had attacked the LG and bureaucrats over findings of a report pertaining to municipal roads and the public distribution system.

Sharing an extract from the CAG report highlighting various loopholes, Kejriwal tweeted, "This is what LG trying to protect when he rejects Doorstep delivery of rations. Entire ration system in grip of mafia protected by political masters. Doorstep delivery wud hv destroyed this mafia."

Sisodia, who is also the finance minister, highlighted some points of the CAG report, flagging "lapses" by various departments, seeking to corner Baijal and officers. "The CAG report has helped us in identifying rigidities in the system. We will remove the shortcomings and take action against those responsible, be it ministers or officers," Sisodia said.

Reading out the CAG report with regard to the public distribution system, Sisodia said it found that eight vehicles which ferried 1,589.92 quintals of specified food articles to fair price shops had registration number of buses, scooters, motorcycles and three-wheelers. "This gives rise to doubt whether the reported transportation of specified food articles had actually taken place and the possibility of pilferage could not be ruled out," the report stated.