Hazare alleges multi-crore scam in PDS

Mumbai, Nov 12 (UNI) Alleging multi-crore scam in the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Maharashtra, noted social activist Anna Hazare today charged the state food and civil supplies minister Sunil Tatkare and senior bureaucrats which being involved in the scam.

Talking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Co-operation minister Dr Patangrao Kadam at Mantralaya here, Mr Hazare said fake ration cards were being issued and middlemen were indulging in blackmarketing of kerosene and foodgrains.

He claimed that he was in possession of documentary evidence to prove the involvement of Mr Tatkare and senior government officials and will produce the same at an appropriate time.

Hazare dared the minister to sue him for defamation.

He said Dr Kadam had set up a task force to probe irregularities in the co-operative credit societies three months ago after he had raised the issue and threatened an indefinite hunger strike. There are 25,000 co-operative credit societies out of which irregularities were found in 462. Directives have been given to file criminal cases against the directors of these societies.

The social activist said the task force would continue to function and such task forces will be set up at the district level, headed by the Collector and Superintendent of Police.

UNI