Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Social Justice & Empowerment, B L Verma on Wednesday assured strict action against any illegal deductions in the distribution of free rations in Nagaland, stating that corruption in the Public Distribution System (PDS) would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Responding to a question raised by media persons regarding alleged illegal cuts in ration quantities at Fair Price Shops (FPS) in Nagaland, the Minister said he would order an investigation into the matter.
It was alleged that 1 (one) kg of ration is being illegally deducted from every family or per beneficiary during distribution and questioned whether the government was aware of what was described as a “rice scam” in the state.
The Minister said that such complaints had not reached him earlier but assured that the issue would be taken seriously now that it had been brought to his notice. He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the system of free ration distribution had been strengthened to ensure transparency and accountability.
Recalling the situation prior to 2014, the Minister said free ration distribution was not even a topic of discussion earlier and that ration dealers across the country often diverted supplies to the black market. He said that to prevent such practices, the government introduced Point of Sale (POS) machines, making biometric authentication mandatory before ration could be marked as delivered to a beneficiary.
The Minister explained that ration stock is not released to dealers unless previous distributions match POS machine data, ensuring that beneficiaries receive their full entitlement. He also highlighted the introduction of electronic weighing machines to ensure accurate measurement of rations, adding that even the weight of the sack is accounted for to ensure beneficiaries receive the exact quantity they are entitled to.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
He acknowledged that in some remote or dry areas, computerized weighing machines may not yet have reached but maintained that the intention of the government is to ensure that every gram of ration reaches the beneficiary. He reiterated that a family entitled to 20 kg of rice must receive the full amount without any deduction.
Calling for evidence, the Minister said he would instruct the concerned secretaries, including the Food Secretary, to look into the matter. He appealed to anyone with proof of illegal deductions to submit it in writing so that immediate action could be taken.
“This is the Modi government, and we will not tolerate corruption,” the Minister asserted, adding that strict action would be taken against any ration dealer found guilty of malpractice. He reaffirmed that 5 kg means exactly 5 kg and that no beneficiary should suffer due to illegal practices in the ration distribution system.
