TURA: The distribution of PDS goods without adhering to the mandatory guidelines is reportedly taking place in many fair price shops in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills with the All Meghalaya Minority Students’ Union (AMMSU) alleging large scale corruption in connection with the issue.
The issue is not a new one and irregularities have been taking place since the last many years. Beneficiaries of PHH, NFSA and AAY have already made appeals on several occasions to concerned fair price shop dealers to make proper distribution which till now, has not been heeded.
Some of these shops where alleged irregularities are taking place are those located at Shidakandi, Kandargaon, Bonabari, New Bhaitbari, Morasati, Phershakandi and Garodubi villages.
Villagers of the affected area led by the AMMSU on Sunday held a public meeting where a resolution was taken that a Vigilance Committee should be constituted at every centre which would be responsible for checking the distribution of goods. It was also decided that notice boards should be put up at every distribution centre where the allotted goods and its rate should be displayed.
Sunday’s meeting also authorized the president and the general secretary of the AMMSU to pursue the issue with the concerned authorities.
“The government allotted goods per month to the beneficiaries is 5 Kgs per head. But it has been found out that beneficiaries are getting between 4 and 5 Kgs, that too with a gap of 3 months. This has been happening for so long and it has to stop immediately,” the President of the AMMSU said.
Earlier in March this year, a memorandum on the issue was also submitted to the government however, there has been no action taken so far.
Caption: Villagers attend a meeting held in connection with irregular distribution of PDS goods by fair price shops at Bhaitbari in West Garo Hills on Sunday.
