Agri min orders ACB probe into logistics company case

Jaipur: Agriculture minister Kirori Lal Meena on Friday alleged large-scale irregularities during the previous Congress govt and announced that the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) will probe a tender process case related to Shubham Logistics, a warehousing and agri-logistics provider.Replying to the debate on the agriculture department's demand for grants in the Assembly, Meena claimed that the company was unfairly benefited during the earlier regime. He alleged that the firm's owner had business links with former chief minister Ashok Gehlot and was a resident of Jodhpur.
The minister further said that serious irregularities surfaced in the tender process of the Rajasthan State Warehousing Corporation during the previous govt's tenure. "The govt will get the matter registered with the ACB and conduct a thorough investigation," he said.Meena also alleged the existence of a network involved in the production and trade of fake fertilisers and seeds. He claimed that warehouses belonging to several Congress leaders and workers were seized. "I personally conducted a raid in which warehouses linked to Congress leaders were found. A stockpile of 80,000 kg of fake fertiliser was seized in Bikaner. They were manufacturing fake fertiliser by mixing colour with salt," he said."No irregularities including fake fertilizers, seeds, fraudulent crop insurance will be allowed with the food providers. Cases have been registered after strict investigation of scams and other irregularities that occurred during the previous government's time," said Meena.Taking a dig at Congress MLA and deputy leader of opposition Ramkesh Meena, who praised him during the debate, the minister said, "Even if you blow me up with cannon fire, I cannot leave my party and ideology." Ramkesh remarked that Kirori should have been chief minister and even offered to vacate his Assembly seat for him.During the discussion, BSP MLA Manoj questioned the govt's announcement on stopping water flow to Pakistan and diverting it to Rajasthan farmers, and sought clarity on the timeline. Congress MLA Narendra Budania said farmers are remembered only during elections and alleged a 1% cut in the agriculture budget, along with shortages and adulteration of fertilisers and seeds.Meanwhile, Cooperative minister Gautam Dak announced that the Bharat Taxi service, modelled on Delhi's system, will be launched in Jaipur in March-April. He also said cooperative societies will be granted licences for petrol pumps and gas agencies in the state.