'Order probe into shelter homes'

LUCKNOW: Alleging large scale irregularities in supply of ration and LPG cylinders at shelter home for children being run by the state women and child welfare department, child welfare committee member Shyam Kumar has asked chief minister Mayawati to order a probe into the 'scam'.
In a letter to the chief minister, Kumar has said that the homes earlier used to get ration on prices meant for below poverty line.But the central government stopped the supply after women and child welfare department could not submit the utilisation certificate on time, he said. Since 2005, he claimed, ration is being bought at market rate without any tender process. Also, he claimed that the requirement of LPG cylinders shown on papers is exaggerated. Kumar said that if probed threadbare, it will expose large scale financial irregularities.
Kumar had found some anomalies in functioning of shelter homes last month during surprise inspections following which the women and child welfare department had ordered an inquiry. Senior officials in the department said that they have not received the letter so far but assured action as soon as the case is referred to them.