The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids and search operations at the residence and offices of a flour mill owner who is said to be a close confidante of West Bengal Minister Jyotipriya Mallick. Mallick was arrested in October 2023 in connection with a multi-crore ration distribution scam.
It is alleged that the flour mill owner diverted a portion of the flour that was supposed to be sold through the fair price shops to the open market, where it was sold at a premium price. The ED is investigating the extent of the diversion and whether Mallick was involved in any way.
The raids are part of a larger investigation by the ED into the ration distribution scam in West Bengal. The agency has already arrested several people in connection with the case, including businessmen, government officials, and politicians.
The ration distribution scam is alleged to have taken place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the state government was providing free rations to the poor. However, it is alleged that a significant portion of the rations was diverted to the black market, where it was sold for profit.
The scam has caused widespread outrage in West Bengal, with many people accusing the state government of corruption and negligence. The ED’s raids are seen as a major step in the investigation and could lead to further arrests.
- ED Raids Flour Mill Owner Close to Arrested West Bengal Minister
- Flour Mill Owner Allegedly Diverted Ration Flour to Open Market
- ED Investigating Extent of Diversion and Mallick’s Involvement
- Ration Distribution Scam Allegedly Took Place During COVID-19 Pandemic
- ED’s Raids Seen as Major Step in Investigation
Details of the Ration Distribution Scam
The ration distribution scam in West Bengal is alleged to have involved the diversion of a significant portion of the rations that were supposed to be provided to the poor during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scam is said to have been perpetrated by a network of businessmen, government officials, and politicians.
The modus operandi of the scam was to divert the rations to the black market, where they were sold for profit. The rations were reportedly diverted in a number of ways, including:
- Fake ration cards: Fake ration cards were created and used to claim rations from the government. The rations were then diverted to the black market.
- Ghost beneficiaries: The names of ghost beneficiaries were added to the ration rolls. The rations for these ghost beneficiaries were then diverted to the black market.
- Collusion with ration shop owners:Â Ration shop owners colluded with businessmen to divert the rations to the black market.
The ration distribution scam has had a devastating impact on the poor in West Bengal. Many people who were relying on the government rations to survive went hungry during the pandemic. The scam has also caused a loss of revenue to the state government.
ED Investigation and Raids
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the ration distribution scam in West Bengal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency has already arrested several people in connection with the case, including businessmen, government officials, and politicians.
The ED’s raids on the residence and offices of the flour mill owner are seen as a major step in the investigation. The agency is likely to be looking for evidence of the diversion of ration flour and Mallick’s involvement in the scam.
The ED raids have also sent a strong message to those involved in the ration distribution scam that they are not above the law. The agency is determined to bring all those involved to justice.
The Enforcement Directorate’s raids on the residence and offices of the flour mill owner are a significant development in the investigation into the ration distribution scam in West Bengal. The agency is likely to be looking for evidence of the diversion of ration flour and the involvement of West Bengal Minister Jyotipriya Mallick in the scam.
The raids are also a strong message to those involved in the ration distribution scam that they are not above the law. The ED is determined to bring all those involved to justice.
