The state government will constitute a task force committee with a retired IPS officer to check irregularities in the public distribution system (PDS).
The committee will conduct surprise checks on miller points, stock points, welfare hostels and ration shops, and see that the PDS rice is not diverted for other purposes.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, civil supplies minister E.Rajender admitted that there were irregularities in the public distribution system but they had been in place for the last 25 years. “After formation of Telangana state we have curbed the irregularities by half. We are initiated steps to minimise the irregularities,” he claimed.
Rajender also admitted that some lower rung officials were involved in irregularities and some dealers had the backing of politicians. “We will not spare any one and see that the PDS rice is used for the intended purpose,” Rajender said.
Around 54,000 ration cards were surrendered by the ration shop dealers in Rangareddy district alone after the government started efforts to curb the irregularities, the minister claimed and added that they had so far seized 72,000 tonnes of rice and registered 2,448 cases under PD Act.
Rajender said some contractors were quoting a price Rs 5 to Rs 10 less per rice bag to transport them from rice-mill to stock point. “We have observed that the transportation charge will be minimum Rs 20 to Rs 25 per bag. Contractors quoting lower rate means that they will indulge in malpractice. We have identified such contractors and will cancel the contracts,” he said.
Earlier, Rajender inspected a couple of hostels and godowns in the city.
Source: The New Indian Express