By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 19: The Executive Committee (EC) of the Lumshyiap Dorbar Shnong has taken a strong stance against a local Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealer, Danny Kharlukhi, for failing to distribute the allocated Public Distribution System (PDS) rice to the residents. The committee has decided to request East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner (Supply), RM Kurbah, to revoke the dealer’s licence following the prolonged delay.
The decision was made during a meeting on Monday after the FPS dealer missed the August 14 deadline set by the EC to distribute five months’ worth of PDS rice to beneficiaries in the locality. Despite earlier assurances to meet the deadline, the dealer requested additional time, which the EC found unacceptable.
“We have also decided to file an FIR against the FPS dealer,” revealed Phira Khongphai, the Rangbah Shnong of Lumshyiap, adding that the Dorbar Shnong will formally write to the Deputy Commissioner to inform her of their decision and request the cancellation of the dealer’s licence.
The issue came to light after a Right to Information (RTI) query, filed by a local resident, revealed that the FPS dealer had already lifted the PDS rice quota for the past five months from the FCI godown. Khongphai also alleged that the rice distributed by the dealer was of very poor quality, in stark contrast to the A+ quality rice found in other localities.
Secretary of the locality’s vigilance committee, Shanbor Laloo shared that the matter had been previously brought to the attention of the former Deputy Commissioner, SC Sadhu, who had initiated some action in response to the beneficiaries’ complaints.