Rajasthan Mid-Day Meal Scam: Over ₹2,000 Crore Embezzled, ACB Files Case

The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case following the exposure of a massive scam in the state’s Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, involving over ₹2,000 crore. The case targets officials of CONFED and several private firms allegedly involved in fraudulent tendering and supply operations.

Key Highlights:

• Over ₹2,000 crore embezzled in Mid-Day Meal scheme
• Cases filed against CONFED officials
• Scam took place during the COVID-19 period
• Fake tenders and a corrupt supply network exposed

According to ACB Director General Govind Gupta, under the MDM scheme, schools were supplied with food grains and other essential items through CONFED via multiple private firms. During a probe into complaints of irregularities, the ACB discovered widespread corruption, leading to the registration of the case. Arrests of the accused are expected soon.

Officials Named in the Case

The ACB has filed a case against several CONFED officials and private firm operators, including:

• Assistant Accounts Officer Sawantaram
• Manager (Civil Supplies) Rajendra and Lokesh Kumar Bapna
• Assistant Manager Pratibha Saini
• Manager (Planning) Yogendra Sharma
• Manager Rajendra Singh Shekhawat
• Warehouse Keeper (Marketing) Ramdhan Bairwa
• Supervisor (Marketing) Dinesh Kumar Sharma
• Kanwaljeet Singh Ranawat, Madhur Yadav, Tribhuvan Yadav, Satish, Mulchand Vyas, Deepak Vyas, Ritesh Yadav
• Regional Manager, Central Depot Shailesh Saxena
• Deputy Manager (Central Depot) B.C. Joshi
• Assistant Manager (Central Depot) Chandan Singh

Additionally, proprietors of firms including Tirupati Suppliers, Jagrut Enterprises, MT Enterprises, and Sai Trading have been named as accused.

Scam Occurred During COVID-19

ACB officials said that the scam took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools were closed. During this period, food packets containing pulses, oil, and spices were supplied to students via CONFED. While the packages were claimed to meet FSSAI and Agmark standards, complaints of serious irregularities and corruption emerged.

Deliberate Manipulation of Rules

Investigators revealed that officials conspired to amend eligibility rules, deliberately excluding qualified firms from the tendering process and awarding contracts to favored companies. These firms illegally sublet tenders, creating a network of fake suppliers and transporters. The ACB has announced strict action against all accused parties.