CBI conducts checks in Lakshadweep on Tuna fish export ‘scam’

It is alleged that no payments were made by the company to LCMF, resulting in a huge revenue loss to the federation and local fishermen.

It is alleged that no payments were made by the company to LCMF, resulting in a huge revenue loss to the federation and local fishermen.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday conducted joint surprise checks in Lakshadweep following allegations of corruption and irregularities, including a purported scam in the export of Tuna fish to a Sri Lankan company in which an MP and his nephew are under the scanner, according to agency sources.

The fish was being exported to a Colombo-based company, S. R. T. General Merchants Importers and Exporters, which did not make any payments. It is alleged that MP Mohammed Faizal’s nephew Abdul Razaq was a company representative.

As alleged, some Lakshadweep Co-operative Marketing Federation (LCMF) officials conspired with public representatives and other officials to facilitate the export of Tuna fish — procured from local fishermen — to the company without following the requisite tender process and other formalities.

The 25-member CBI team led by a Deputy Inspector-General level officer, along with the vigilance officials of the Lakshadweep administration, also carried out joint surprise checks linked to the Fisheries Department, Public Works Department, Khadi Board and Co-operative Society and the Animal Husbandry Department.

Swindling of subsidy

One surprise check was conducted to…

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