Bid to streamline rationing system

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Oct. 2: The Malda district administration has instructed the controller of food and supplies to monitor public distribution system to end faulty rationing system in the district. The district controller of food and supplies has been asked to submit the current report at a review meeting to be held next week. Talking to reporters, the Malda additional district magistrate (general), Mr PC Shit, said: "In a bid to prevent Birbhum-like protests against faulty rationing system, we have decided to hold a meeting with political leaders here next week. The date of meeting would be fixed after the district magistrate's return from Kolkata." The ADM added that five modified ration dealers were suspended recently. After suspension of one dealer in Manikchak, the department has so far not been able to replace him. It may be recalld that following breakdown of public distribution system, locals recently blocked road in Manikchak. The locals also protested against the decision to appoint a "corrupted" MR dealer "temporarily". The ADM has instructed the DCFS to monitor the situation carefully so public distribution system is not hampered anywhere. Officials said the entire distribution system, including BPL, APL, Annapurna and Antyadaya Yojona, would be discussed and reviewed at the proposed meeting. In April this year, people from various villages of Panchanandapur in Kaliachak II had staged a demonstration in front of the modified ration dealers' shop under the banner of CPI-ML (Liberation) demanding that MR dealers issue cash memos to them against the ration and other items they purchase. Villagers have accused the MR dealers of charging additional money from them and selling the items meant for PDS in the open market. The BDO had to settle the matter after issuing inquiry order for the allegation that MR dealers do not issue cash memos to the consumers in a bid to manage extra stock of rice, wheat, kerosene and sugar, allotted by the government.