Rice allocation allegations trigger disruption in Delhi Assembly

A dispute over alleged irregularities in subsidised rice distribution disrupted proceedings in the Delhi Assembly on Tuesday, leading to eight AAP MLAs being marshalled out on Speaker Vijender Gupta’s instructions.

AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha alleged that rice obtained from the Food Corporation of India was being sold in the open market in Haryana, and called for accountability. The party demanded the dismissal of Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. Kondli MLA Kuldeep Kumar also referred to the suspension of Arun Kumar Jha, an additional commissioner in the Food and Civil Supplies Department, and questioned why action had not been taken against the minister.

Sirsa rejected the allegations, calling them false. He said the Delhi government had neither purchased nor sold any rice, and that the issue concerned the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation and the Food Corporation of India. He said a representation from NERAMAC had been considered under applicable rules, and maintained that the arrangement did not affect Delhi’s present or future rice allocation or place a financial burden on the Delhi government.

Sirsa said he may pursue legal action if the allegations continue. The competing claims have not been independently established in the Assembly proceedings described.