Archive · 10 Aug 2026
AAP Alleges Rs 22,000 Crore Irregularities in Delhi Rice Distribution
In Delhi, poor people are supposed to get rice at a very low price.
A leader named Saurabh Bharadwaj says that rice was not given to those poor people.
Instead, he claims it was secretly sold to private companies for more money.
He says a company in Assam was part of the plan, and a private company in Haryana bought the rice cheap and it was sold at double the price.
He thinks the government lost a lot of money because of this, around Rs 22,000 crore.
He wants an investigation to find out what really happened.
Another leader named Manjinder Singh Sirsa says the story is not true.
He is upset about the claims and wants an apology.
If the leader does not say sorry within 24 hours, Sirsa says they will settle it in court.
Other leaders will decide what to do next.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that subsidised rice meant for Delhi's poorest was diverted and sold to private companies, with transactions worth around Rs 22,000 crore.
Bharadwaj claimed a corporation in Assam was supposed to buy rice from the Food Corporation of India at a subsidised rate for distribution among needy people in Delhi.
He alleged rice worth Rs 23 per kg was sold to a private company in Haryana at Rs 46 per kg, with commissions and brokerage amounting to roughly Rs 11,000 crore.
Bharadwaj said the Central government's vigilance department had flagged discrepancies and demanded a detailed inquiry and action against those responsible.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa gave Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha a 24-hour ultimatum to withdraw their allegations and apologise, warning of legal action.
- Who
- AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj made the allegations; Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa denied them.
- What
- Allegations that subsidised rice meant for Delhi's poorest was diverted and sold to private companies at inflated prices, involving an estimated Rs 22,000 crore.
- When
- The allegations were made on Sunday, followed by Sirsa's 24-hour ultimatum.
- Where
- New Delhi, involving a corporation in Assam and a private company in Haryana.
- Why
- Allegedly to earn commissions and brokerage, depriving migrant workers, homeless people and daily-wage labourers of their rightful ration rice.
AAP's Allegations
Minister Sirsa's Denial
Rice Diversion Claims
AAP's Allegations
Bharadwaj alleged that rice meant for the poorest in Delhi was sold to a private company in Haryana at Rs 46 per kg, twice the subsidised rate, causing loss to the exchequer and depriving eligible beneficiaries of rations.
Minister Sirsa's Denial
Sirsa called the allegations 'baseless, false, fabricated and malicious', saying they were aimed at defaming and maligning him, and described such a campaign as the accusers' modus operandi.
Next Steps
AAP's Allegations
Bharadwaj demanded a detailed inquiry into the matter, action against those responsible, and transparency in the procurement and distribution process, questioning the role of officials involved.
Minister Sirsa's Denial
Sirsa gave a 24-hour ultimatum for the allegations to be withdrawn with a public apology, warning that otherwise he would initiate appropriate legal proceedings against the AAP leaders.
- Alleged irregularity amount
- Rs 22,000 crore
- Alleged commissions/brokerage
- Rs 11,000 crore
- Subsidised purchase price
- Rs 23 per kg
- Alleged resale price
- Rs 46 per kg
- Beneficiaries allegedly deprived
- Migrant workers, homeless people, daily-wage labourers
- Accuser
- AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj
- Respondent
- Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa
- Ultimatum
- 24 hours to withdraw allegations and apologise