Jhumpura: Already, there are scores of allegations of irregularities pertaining to the rice distributed under Public Distribution System (PDS), in different panchayats of Jhumpura block.
According to sources, those allegations centred on the distribution of PDS to ghost cardholders, keeping the ration cards of beneficiaries as mortgage in panchayats, not giving ration to the beneficiaries for months together, issue of ration cards to non-eligible people etc.
While such issues are yet to be sorted out, the damaged and fungus affected PDS rice distributed in densely tribal populated Basantpur panchayat area, in the past two days, has created strong resentment among local villagers.
It learnt that, panchayat staffers are compelling the beneficiaries to take the foul smelling and inedible rice saying, “either take the rice as it is or go away empty handed.”
Out of compulsion, the beneficiaries are known to have taken the PDS rice, but at the same time they have complained to Jhumpura civil supplies officer.
On the other hand, the agency transporting rice from Jhumpura godown has counter-stated that, “it has delivered good quality rice at the Basantpur panchayat”. However, some muscle men are allegedly threatening the beneficiaries, after this matter came to the fore.
When contacted, Jhumpura Block Civil Supplies Officer Sarita Mirdha said. “I will see, what has gone wrong”.
PNN