Sambalpur: The central and state governments had made provisions for distribution of free PDS items for five months for the beneficiaries after the outbreak of the Covid-19. However, irregularities to the tune of crores of rupees were allegedly committed in the free distribution of PDS rice in Sambalpur.
Orissa Post and Dharitri had reported the alleged scam based on the allegations of many beneficiaries.
Following media reports, the district civil supplies officer had directed civil supplies inspectors and marketing inspectors to look into the matter and submit a report.
“Even though two months have passed since then, no investigation report has been submitted to the office,” said district civil supplies officer Subodh Mallik.
On the other hand, some officials are allegedly extorting money from supplies assistants and dealers on the plea of investigation. It was alleged that two supplies assistants in Jujumara block have paid Rs 10,000 each to an official.
Similar allegations have been reported from other blocks too. Various outfits have demanded that the department is trying to shield some civil supplies officials and assistants who are involved in the scam.
As regards the delay in the probe, the district civil supplies officer said the scam had allegedly been committed well before he joined in Sambalpur. “Investigation report has not been submitted till date. Steps will be taken in the matter of delayed investigation,” he noted.
Notably, Orissa Post carried the news about the PDS scam December 1, 2020. According to the civil supplies department, the district had received about 32,500 quintals of rice for free distribution every month during Covid. For five months, the district got nearly 1.60 lakh quintals of rice.
Besides, 1.5 lakh quintals of rice came under regular quota in five months. Every month, each ration card holder was entitled to get his regular quota and free quota of rice for five months. During Covid, use of biometric machines had been stopped, which actually facilitated a big scam, amounting to over Rs 32 crore.
Manual receipts were not issued to beneficiaries after rice delivery while the beneficiaries had not put their signatures in sales registers.
PNN