Two Months Free Ration: Cuttack Choudwar Beneficiaries Allege Pilferage Of PDS Items

Cuttack: The PDS beneficiaries of Choudwar block in Cuttack district have alleged loot of commodities by unscrupulous traders.

In April, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced additional benefits for beneficiaries of Food Security Act in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

As per the announcement, the Food Security beneficiaries will get additional 5 kg rice free of cost in May and June. Around 12 lakh beneficiaries will be covered under it.

But, the efforts of the government to provide succour during the difficult times seems to have fallen apart with unscrupulous traders engaging in misappropriation and providing less than the quantity announced by the government. They are eligible to get 5 kg rice, wheat and kerosene per head.

The beneficiaries said the dealers take their signatures of providing full quantity of the PDS commodities but provide way less than that. “Our pleas to the local civil supplies officials too have failed in earning us our rightful measures of the commodities,” they claimed.

The beneficiaries also alleged that they are sent back on the pleas of shortage of ration. The Sarpanch and block officials have been apprised about the matter, but no action has been taken, they alleged.

When contacted, the civil supplies officer said the matter is being investigated and if found guilty, action will betaken against the officers on duty.