Patna: Former Union Ministers from Bihar stood exposed with the uncovering of scams, including sleepers' and food grain scams and they were now bound to face the music with the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probing the irregularities committed during their tenure, Railway Minister and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Party) president Laloo Prasad said today (Oct 30, 2004).

"The CBI is probing glaring irregularities in the purchase of sleepers during the tenure of my predecessor Nitish Kumar, while another inquiry is also underway against former Defence Minister George Fernandes in the coffin scam," Laloo said.

The premier investigating agency was also inquiring into the food grains scam during the period when Sharad Yadav was the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Prasad told a function on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the first Bihar Chief Minister Srikrishna Prasad Singh.

Stating that any attempt from any quarter to shield the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) leaders involved in these scams would be an exercise in futility, he said the former Union Ministers from Bihar stands thoroughly exposed now. Prasad claimed that the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government was irrevocably committed to ensuring all-round development of Bihar.

He called upon the people to vote for the RJD for carrying the pace of development, which had been accelerated after the installation of the UPA Government.

He said effective steps have already been taken for the revival of all the sick industries in Bihar.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Akhilesh Singh also spoke.