SHILLONG: Following the surfacing of anomalies regarding deletion of beneficiaries’ names from the list of public distribution scheme (PDS) in the recent past, now their inclusion is caught in another dilemma that may have serious consequences if not addressed immediately.
The application form for family identity card under NFSA (National Food Security Act), 2013 which is being distributed by the Fair Price Shops (FPS) in the city of late have a section under the heading ‘Certificate from Chairman / Secretary Vigilance Committee’.
There are allegations from beneficiaries from different localities in the city that the FPS dealers are insisting them to get signature from their respective village headmen citing that they are the ‘assigned vigilance committee’ who can certify that the beneficiary and his dependents are residents of a given locality/ village.
But these beneficiaries are caught in a difficult situation in the aftermath of the order of the High Court of Meghalaya in December last year and subsequent order by the Supreme Court of India – which is expected to pronounce its final judgment in the near future on the issue of village headmen issuing certificates.
Whereas the FPS dealers are allegedly insisting that the form should be duly certified by the headmen, the beneficiaries are reluctant to approach the latter in view of the matter being sub-judice and more so fearing exploitation and dilly dally they might face as in the past they had to shell out money in lieu of signatures.
After several attempts and long waiting at the office of the DC (Supply), East Khasi Hills on Monday, the Inspector of Supply informed this reporter that every FPS has a vigilance committee and it is the duty of the secretary/ chairman of this committee to certify the new applicants. He also said that the secretary/ chairman in most cases are the members and office bearers of Dorbar Shnong.
The supply inspector also clarified that no FPS dealer can ask the beneficiaries to approach the locality headmen for certification.
Customers on the other hand are of the opinion that orders should be passed that form should be certified by the respective FPS dealer to save them from additional harassment.
