Lucknow: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested a ration dealer wanted in the Ballia foodgrain scam involving the alleged misappropriation of govt foodgrains worth Rs 53.50 lakh.The accused, Jaleshwar Ram of Ballia, was arrested by an EOW team from Bansdih in Ballia district on Friday.According to the EOW, Ram was working as a ration dealer at the time of the offence and facilitated the diversion of govt foodgrains by showing their distribution in the names of fictitious labourers on the basis of forged muster rolls prepared by the work in-charge.The scam relates to the financial years 2002-03 to 2004-05, when development works, including drain construction, brick paving, roadside repairs, construction of approach roads, concrete roads and culverts, were proposed in various villages of Murlichhapra block under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana.Under the scheme, labourers engaged in these projects were entitled to receive foodgrains, including rice, along with cash payments as wages. However, the accused prepared fake muster rolls and showed foodgrain distribution and payments in the names of non-existent workers, while the actual labourers were deprived of their entitlements.The alleged irregularities caused a loss of Rs 53.5 lakh to govt between 2002 and 2005, the EOW said.A total of 43 cases were registered in connection with the scam. The accused will be produced before the Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption), Azamgarh, for further legal proceedings, the EOW said.
