Ration dealer confined in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Oct. 12: Hundreds of angry villagers today gheraoed the house of a ration dealer at Kendua in Malda's Habibpur police station area to protest against alleged faulty rationing system. Locals, especially from the Scheduled Caste community, were demanding compensation from the dealer, Apu Saha, who allegedly failed to supply food and other materials allotted under BPL and Antadaya schemes. The locals confined the dealer demanding compensation.They alleged that the dealers are not supplying them allotted food materials despite several reminders and are instead misbehaving with the consumers. The block development officer, food officials and police rushed to the spot and requested the angry locals to call off their agitation. Meanwhile, the Habibpur BDO today convened an all-political party meeting on the issue of faulty rationing system. They discussed ways of activating the shop level monitoring committee. On the other hand, the CPI-ML Liberation today staged agitation in five places ~ Kaliachak I, II and III blocks, Manikchak, and Chanchal I ~ on the same issue. The Malda district magistrate has instructed the officials concerned to listen to the villagers' grievances and take initiative to maintain the rationing system during Id and puja festivals.Police officials have also been directed to remain alert following public outrage against the faulty rationing system. It may be recalled that a few days ago angry mob had agitated in Harischandrapur, prompting the food officials to suspend an accused dealer. Local CPI-M leaders said the Antadaya project for poorest of the poor people has created more problems here."The dealers are receiving only rice from the FCI. The government has not sanctioned funds for transportation and other expenses," they said.