Meghalaya tops the list in diverting PDS

Shillong, May 26: Meghalaya Minister in-charge Food and Civil Supplies Martle N Mukhim has expressed concern over the state heading the list in diverting essential commodities meant for Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana(AAY) families.

''I feel embarrassed after seeing the Org-Marg survey report in which Meghalaya tops the list of the states which divert commodities through Public Distribution System (PDS),'' Mr Mukhim told mediapersons here yesterday.

He stated that the Org-Marg survey conducted in 2005 had revealed 80 per cent diversion of food grains. ''If the state government fails to check the illegal sale through PDS, the state may lose its quota,'' the minister warned.

Mr Mukhim informed that a nine-point action plan has been adopted by the government to streamline the whole system which involves the review of BPL or AAY for elimination of bogus ration cards. The government was also planning to set up Vigilance Committee to oversee that the families were getting the entitled quantity of food grains.

He said the Food and Civil Supplies Department will also seek help from Border Security Force (BSF) to check smuggling of PDS commodities from Meghalaya to Bangladesh.

UNI