Cheat slur on Malda ration dealers

Statesman News Service
MALDA, April 20: - People from various villages of Panchanandapur today staged demonstration in front of the modified ration dealers’ shops under the banner of CPI-ML (Liberation), demanding that the M T dealers issue cash memos to them against the ration and other items they purchase.

The villagers accused the MR dealers of charging additional money from them and selling the items meant for public distribution system (PDS) in the open market.

The locals alleged that the dealers do not supply materials to the consumers according to the specification of the food and supplies department.

The Kaliachak II block development officer, Mr. Debanjan Roy, told The Statesman that he had received such complaints from the people and approached the food inspector to inquire into the matter.

“The inquiry report is yet to be submitted. Once I get the report from the food and supplies department officials s, I will suggest them to take necessary action against the dealers”, he said.

The CPI-ML (Liberation) leaders have also lodged a complaint with the BDO against the dealers and informed him that they would stage an agitation against the unscrupulous MR dealers for “cheating” the poor people.

It was alleged that MR dealers do not issue cash memos to the ration cardholders and consumers in a bid to manage extra stock of rice wheat, kerosene and sugar allotted from the government.

“It is a common practice among the MR dealers who sell shock of materials allotted for PDS in open marker to earn profit”.

Mr. Mrityunjay Das, a CPI-ML (Liberation) leader, said: “ The M R dealers have started issuing cash memos to the consumers after today’s agitation”.