New Delhi, June 17 (Agency) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against 15 accused, including private companies and its Director/Proprietors, partners and unknown others, on the allegation of causing loss of Rs 52.8 crore to government exchequer, the probe agency said on Friday. Searches were conducted at around 15 locations in the state of Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal at the premises of the accused, said CBI. Earlier, a preliminary enquiry was initiated during that it was revealed that Muriate of Potash (MOP), a restricted item, could be exported only with the prior permission of the Central government.
The imported MOP is allegedly supplied by Indian Potash Limited (IPL) to farmers through its authorised dealers at subsidized rates and claims the subsidy from the Central government, CBI in a statement said. It was also found that the MOP was allegedly exported in the guise of Feldspar Powder/Industrial Salt to overseas buyers. Further to cover up the transaction, fictitious purchases of the Feldspar Powder/Industrial Salt through dealers in Rajasthan and Kolkata were allegedly shown. It was alleged that the accused had hatched a conspiracy during the period 2007 to 2009 with others including unknown officials of Central Board of Excise & Customs & Indian Potash Limited, and fraudulently helped to purchase and export total 24003 MT of Muriate of Potash in guise of Industrial Salt/Feldspar Powder, causing loss of subsidy of Rs.52.8 crore to Central government, the statement added.