Assam: Corruption Alleged in PDS Rice Distribution in Margherita Sub-Division, Tinsukia

OUR CORRESPONDENT

DIGBOI: Amidst the Assam government’s claims of zero tolerance for corruption, irregularities involving the unfair distribution of rice under Public Distribution System (PDS) has been uncovered in the Margherita Sub-Division of Tinsukia district. According to allegations brought about by one of the beneficiaries Jayanta Gogoi residing in Ward No. 5 of Tingrai Station area under Tingrai Panchayat, he was deprived of his rightful benefits under PDS consecutively for the last two months viz January and February 2025.

“We are five members in the family entitled to get 25 kilograms of rice each month but the concerned FPS provided only 20 kg thus depriving us by 10 kg in two months ,” said Gogoi, one of the beneficiaries under Priority Household Ration card no 181002817214. “The updated system showed five members with 35 kg of rice but only 20 kg was physically handed over,” he added.

“We can’t provide for minor beneficiaries unless officially allowed’,” said the FPS agent while explaining the reason to the beneficiary.

“The most unfortunate and astounding aspect lies in the fact that we were not provided with the receipt that contained the actual quantity of rice issued,” alleged the beneficiary. “The agent asked what I would do with the receipt and rolled it back further into the machine,” alleged Gogoi.

 Meanwhile, when cross-checked, it has surfaced that many beneficiaries residing very close to the FPS bearing identification number 130900220117 were also not provided with the receipts along with the rice.

It may be recalled here that Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development, Food and Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, while taking a note earlier on alleged irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS), had asked the ration card holders to share information regarding such anomalies with the authorities concerned without any delay so that corruption, if any, can be detected and prevented at its root.

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