A Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealer, identified as Hanija D Shira, has been accused of massive misappropriation of rice meant for beneficiaries of various localities in Dainadubi.
The dealership, which is actually run by Shira’s husband, who is a government school teacher, apparently has been under-supplying rice and overcharging beneficiaries. This alleged wrongdoing has been going on for more than two years with fed-up scheme recipients now deciding enough is enough.
The said dealership has close to 240 beneficiary households from four different localities in Dainadubi.
“He (the husband) has been providing us 4 kilogrammes of rice per member on the card while charging us anywhere close to Rs 12 per kilo. When we asked him why the amount was deducted, he claimed the amount was meant to ensure the PDS (Public Distribution System) dealership continues running and for transportation of rice to the FPS,” said one of the villagers.
According to a rice supplier, transportation charges for PDS shops are borne by the suppliers themselves, so there is no question of extra charges for PDS dealers.
What has been even more startling is the fact that free rice that was provided during the Covid-19 pandemic by the central government has also not been spared.
“He gave us only 10.5kg per household when most of us were due to get 5kg per person. He claimed the amount was being redistributed to others, a claim that is absolutely bogus. This has been done for at least eight months. Imagine the audacity of the dealer when he even entered the same amounts in our ration cards as well. This is proof of his wrongdoing,” said another villager.
The villagers met the Deputy Commissioner of North Garo Hills, RP Marak, today to register their complaint while also seeking an immediate spot inquiry. A police complaint of cheating by the dealer is also expected to be filed by the complainants, though deliberations are still ongoing on how to deal with the issue.
