NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday said that it has started inquiries into alleged corruption in the export of tuna fish from Lakshadweep to a Sri Lankan company represented by Abdul Razaq, nephew of a Lok Sabha member Mohammad Faizal, sources said.
The source said that for the export of the tuna fish, no payment was made to Lakshadweep Cooperative Marketing Federation (LCMF), thereby causing huge losses to it and in turn to the local fishermen.
A CBI source here told The New Indian that a CBI team comprising of about 25 officials led by a DIG camped in Lakshadweep conducted a Joint Surprise Check along with Vigilance officials of Lakshadweep administration related to corruption and irregularities in the different departments of Lakshadweep administration.
The source said that the departments include LCMF, Fisheries Department, Public Works Department, Khadi Board and Co-operative Society and Animal Husbandry Department.
The source said that it has been alleged that public servants of LCMF in collusion with the Mohammad Faizal, MP from Lakshadweep or public servants caused loss to LCMF in the matter of export of Tuna Fish to a Sri Lanka-based company SRT General Merchants Imports and Exports owned by Faizal’s nephew without following a requisite tender process and other formalities.
The source said that it was further alleged that the LCMF procured a huge amount of tuna fish from local fishermen under the influence of Faizal.
The tuna fish so procured was exported by LCMF to SRT General Merchants Import and Exports did not make payments to LCMF, thereby causing huge losses to it and in turn to the local fishermen.
The CBI has acted on a complaint that a large number of boats have been illegally registered in the name of poor residents of the islands and the fuel subsidy meant for these poor fishermen was swindled by public servants in collusion with others.
It was also alleged that a majority of beneficiaries of the houses being constructed by the Lakshadweep Building Development Board under the schemes meant for poor people are ineligible persons.
In Khadi Board and Co-operative Society Lakshadweep, several local leaders are loan defaulters. There is an alleged scam of several crores of rupees in the Animal Husbandry Department, Lakshadweep in the purchase of low-quality medicines and poultry feeds.
The source said that the role of local NCP MP Faizal may also come under the scanner of the CBI as it is yet to register a formal FIR in the matter.