E-Paper
FIR against 6,999 persons including DM
AN FIR was lodged against 6,999 government employees and officials, including the district magistrate Dr Hariom for his involvement in the food grain scam during his tenure as the chief development officer in Ballia, during 2001-02. The name of Dr Hariom came to light during the inquiry conducted by the CB-CID. Around one dozen FIRs were already lodged against him under various police stations.
AN FIR was lodged against 6,999 government employees and officials, including the district magistrate Dr Hariom for his involvement in the food grain scam during his tenure as the chief development officer in Ballia, during 2001-02.
The name of Dr Hariom came to light during the inquiry conducted by the CB-CID. Around one dozen FIRs were already lodged against him under various police stations.
When mediapersons raised the issue before the district magistrate, he said that he was not informed through proper channel by CB-CID officials before lodging the FIR. Besides, there was no specific charge against him.
He further sad that without permission of the appointment cell of IAS and PCS officers and approval from the Chief Minister no action could be taken against any IAS and IPS officer. He further said that he was not guilty and worked with sincerity and honesty.
He said that usually the district magistrate and the COD took the credit for all the good work but the discredit for bad work should also go to them. He categorically denied the authenticity of the report and said it was baseless and partial.
According to reports, a CB-CID team from Varanasi division was conducting the inquiry into the food grain scam between 2000 and 2004. The foods grains were to be distributed under Annapurna and Antyaodya programme but the allotted food grains were supplied to the grain mafias.
In the one-year inquiry, CB-CID registered an FIR against half a dozen senior officials, BDOs, VDOs at 14 police stations in Ballia district.
Reacting to the FIR a senior BJP leader and representative of BJP MP Yogi Adityanath Shital Pandey launched an offensive against district magistrate and said he had lost moral rights to continue on the post.
Pandey said that a memorandum would be handed over to the divisional commissioner demanding necessary steps against the district magistrate in the light of the FIRs lodged against him. Pandey said that the incident was an example of rampant corruption prevailing in high places.
