Delhi Political Controversy: AAP Leader Alleges Subsidised Rice Diversion

: A political controversy has emerged in Delhi after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that subsidised rice intended for economically vulnerable sections of the population was diverted through an Assam-based corporation and later sold to a private company in Haryana. Bharadwaj, the Delhi AAP president and former Delhi minister, claimed that the alleged arrangement could involve subsidised rice worth around Rs 22,000 crore over three years. The figure, however, is an estimate based on projections cited by the AAP leader and has not been independently verified. In a video shared on X, Bharadwaj alleged that the Delhi government had coordinated with an Assam-based corporation to procure rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) at subsidised rates. He claimed the stated purpose was to distribute the grain among migrant workers, homeless people and daily-wage labourers in Delhi. According to Bharadwaj, the arrangement envisaged the procurement of around 31,000 metric tonnes of rice every week. He alleged that instead of being distributed to the intended beneficiaries, the grain was subsequently sold to a private company in Haryana at a substantially higher rate. Bharadwaj further claimed that documents cited in connection with the matter indicated that rice procured at approximately Rs 23 per kg was sold to the Haryana-based private company for Rs 46 per kg. He also alleged that commissions and brokerage associated with the transactions could total around Rs 11,000 crore. “The Delhi government, in collaboration with a corporation in Assam, made a complete plan to deprive the poorest of the poor in Delhi of rice rations,” Bharadwaj alleged, calling for scrutiny of the transactions and the agencies involved. The AAP leader also questioned the role of the Assam-based corporation and the Haryana company in the alleged movement and resale of subsidised foodgrain. The allegations have opened a fresh political confrontation in Delhi over the procurement and distribution of subsidised rice. The claims relate to an alleged chain involving procurement, transportation and resale of foodgrain, while the figures and accusations cited by Bharadwaj remain unverified and would require examination by the concerned authorities.