The Enforcement Directorate raids on premises of minsiter of state for home Rajendra Yadav have sent shiver down the spines of ministers of Gehlot cabinet. With assembly elections nearing, ministers are apprehensive of more such actions.
ED is already conducting investigations in departments like Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED), Department of IT & Communication and Rajasthan Public Service Commission ( RPSC) for paper leak during teachers recruitment tests (REET).
Sources said that the central agency is also keeping a tab on education department in relation with enquiry of paper leak in REET.
“ED has enquired people close to me but have not been able to get anything. We have not committed any corruption. ED is free to conduct investigation if there is any scam. But it should not be motivated,” said a minister of Gehlot cabinet.
Earlier in the morning around 7.30 am, ED conducted raids at the residence of minister of state home Rajendra Yadav. Around 24 officials with 18 armed security personnel entered the house of the minister and recovered few documents by breaking locks of two almirahs and boxes.
Sources said that ED was conducting investigations in irregularities related to mid day meal, where food is being supplied by a factory owned by the minister.
Last year in September, Income Tax department had raided 53 locations of various food related companies of the minister including a bag manufacturing factory.
The factory was raided owing to increasing irregularities related to mid-day meals, which benefit lakhs of students in the government-run schools in the state.
What Rajendra Yadav Said
Rajendra Yadav said that he has nothing to do with the raid. Last year IT department had conducted raid and now ED has entered.
He said that such actions happen when elections are near.
“Before the code of conduct such raids happen. I am with Congress and will contest the elections on Congress ticket. Party is standing by me. I am also capable to fight this battle on legal and political ground. I am in comfort zone and talks about my joining BJP are rumours,” he said.
The minister said that he has nothing to do with businesses of his sons.
“Both my sons are involved in supplying mid day meals to schools. They have been doing this since Corona and this doesn't come under any criminal activity. We have received payment only last month,” he said.
He said that the central agency has raided houses of my is sons in Kotputli. There has not been any seizure except two mobile phones.
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