UP scam: In audio, officers heard trying to fudge figures

LUCKNOW: The scam involving alleged siphoning off of more than 2.2 lakh tonnes of foodgrains in Uttar Pradesh by replacing the Aadhaar numbers of original public distribution system (PDS) beneficiaries has taken a twist after fair price shop owners across the state have moved the Allahabad high court, saying the combination of user ID and password in the software is solely with government's area food inspectors in districts.
The HC had admitted the fair price shop owners' plea on September 2 and listed the case for urgent hearing on Monday. In a detailed note shared on August 21 with districts, the government said that Aadhaar details of genuine beneficiaries were being replaced in as many as 43 districts, leading to as many FIRs.

Fearing their arrests, the fair price shop owners moved the Allahabad HC. "The real fact is that all fair price shop dealers are bound to distribute the foodgrains and other essential commodities after the verification of Aadhaar card of beneficiaries by the area supply inspector. The user ID and password is prepared by area supply inspector too and higher officials of the food department of UP government in the districts. The website cannot be operated until and unless the user ID and password is opened by food inspectors," reads the plea by the fair shop owners.

The shop owners have also included an audio conversation in their supplementary affidavit. The audio is allegedly between a female food inspector and her staff in Allahabad, where she is allegedly asking her staff to show that 90 % of month's ration has been distributed to original ration holders.

UP Police confirmed the audio and said that matter is being investigated.