'I had written several times to the (social welfare) directorate and I even have the copies of the letters that I have sent. The clerical staff, along with other officials of the department, were involved in the scam,' Rai said.

Meanwhile, the investigating team is facing difficulties in the probe.

'As most of the staff has been suspended, it is getting difficult to find the papers and files related to the scam,' a member of the team told IANS preferring anonymity.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the roots of the scam run deeper.

Around 55,000 people in the age group of 25-40 years in six districts are suspected to be involved in the fraud, according to sources in the Social Welfare Department in Lucknow.

'Besides ordering a probe in the entire state, specific orders have been issued for Jhansi, Ferozabad, Agra, Allahabad and Mathura. It has been found that the list of beneficiaries in these districts and many others has not been updated since 2002,' a senior official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

According to the department officials, similar revelations are likely to be made in other central government schemes like the rural job and the mid-day meal schemes soon.