DMs ‘involved’ in Mainpuri mid-day meal scam: CBI

The CBI, probing irregularity into utilisation of government fund in mid-day meal scheme in Mainpuri district between 2008 and 2011, has found alleged involvement of two of then ex-district magistrates (DMs) and chief development officers (CDOs) in the scam.

The ex-DMs — DC Shukla and Sachchidanand Dubey — are retired now. While one of the then CDOs JB Singh is posted in Lucknow, another one Hriday Shankar Chaturvedi is serving as regional food controller (RFC) at Varanasi.

The CBI sources confirmed that the chargesheet will soon be filed against the retired officers while the process of seeking prosecution sanction against the PCS officers is going on. The case is related to payment of Rs 6.25 crore to a non-government organisation (NGO) — Society for Science & Environment Awareness, Research, Communication and Heritage — without any supply or work, said the sources.

The state government had ordered for recovery of the amount from the NGO after an inquiry found the embezzlement. A case was also registered into the matter at City Kotwali police station of Mainpuri district.

The NGO had filed a petition before the Allahabad High Court challenging the government's order of recovery against them. The court, however, while hearing the petition in May directed the CBI to inquire into the matter and give the report.

The CBI submitted the preliminary report in August last year alleging about irregularities in utilisation of government funds in mid-day meal scheme and that the role of concerned officials including the DMs posted during that period is need to be probed.

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