Consumer rights Organization calls for vigil in East Kameng

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Consumer Rights Organization-East Kameng (CRO-EK) district unit, in a memorandum submitted to the District Deputy Commissioner, Seppa, has sought immediate action "on unprofessional conduct indulged in the government-supplied PDS in the district".

The Union submitted a memorandum to the DC on June 15 last demanding operation of 'Fair Price Shop' (FPS) under Section-10 of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Distribution System (APPDS) Order-2016, formation of Vigilante committee, conduct of social audit and strict vigilance on kerosene supply.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Club on Monday, CRO-EK president Beku Dolo alleged that the government-supplied PDS foodgrains are being sold openly in various corners of the Seppa town at the rate of Rs 1,200 per 50 kg bag.

"This is illegal and causes a shortage in the supply of monthly allowance to the actual beneficiaries," Dolo said, adding that the 50 kg of rice bag which actually would cost Rs 150 is being sold at a very high rate.

He also said that the Union wants the DC to instruct the FPS owners to ensure proper distribution of PDS items to the actual beneficiaries. The owners should also not retain the ration cards of the beneficiaries after distribution of foodgrains, he added.

"To ensure transparency, proper functioning and check all this illegality in the PDS, the Union demands the formation of a vigilance committee and conduct of social audit under Section 14 of Arunachal Pradesh Food Security Act (APFSA)-2015," Dolo said.

The Union further said that the district receives around 42,000 litres of Kerosene (SKO) supply. Unfortunately, the retailers are not selling the SKO in their respective outlets to the consumers, he alleged.

Dolo also alleged that the government-supplied SKO which is supposed to be sold at the respective outlets is being sold openly in the Seppa town at the department-run DUDA daily market. He further said that the SKO is being sold at the price of Rs. 100 in a one litre.

"As per the Arunachal Pradesh Kerosene (Licensing and distribution) Control Order-2005, the district administration should direct all the outlet retailers to ensure regularity in SKO distribution in their respective outlets in the government-framed price," Dolo said.

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