Massive anomalies in distribution of PDS kerosene in BTAD alleged

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, July 20: RTI activist and adviser of ABSU’s Bhergaon regiol unit adviser Somal Daimary on Thursday alleged massive anomalies in the BTC’s Food and Civil Supply department in Bhergaon subdivision in Udalguri district of BTAD.

Addressing a press conference here, Daimary said that misappropriation of fund of around Rs 51 crore has taken place in the Food and Civil Supply department in BTAD’s Bhergaon subdivision.  

He said that suppliers have swindled a huge amount of PDS kerosene during the period from 2005 to 2015.

Daimary said documents received in response to an RTI application have revealed that the hawkers instead of distributing the kerosene among the beneficiaries have sold out a huge amount of kerosene in the black market.

As per norms, each hawker gets 400 litres kerosene per month.  

“But instead of distributing the kerosene, the hawkers in collusion with the officials of the BTC Food and Civil Supply department have sold out a huge amount of kerosene in the black market depriving the consumers from their entitlements,” Daimary alleged.

He said that they have already approached CM’s Special Vigilance Cell and Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau of Assam Police in this regard.

Daimary, earlier in June had alleged that suppliers have been swindling consumers of PDS flour worth thousands of crores of rupees in BTAD over the years.

 “Suppliers procure PDS wheat from FCI at Rs 6.10 per kg and mill the grain in their own mills. However, instead of supplying the flour to cooperative societies, they sell the flour under their own brand at Rs 22 per kg. From 2010 to 2015, as much as 3 lakh quintals of PDS flour vanished in Bhergaon subdivision alone in BTAD,” Daimary had alleged.

Daimary even moved the Gauhati High Court which suggested the petitioner to file complaint with the CBI.

Daimary informed that they already written to CBI in this connection.