Khandu cautions against PDS pilferage

Itanagar, Jun 13 (UNI) Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has cautioned against scams and siphoning of essential commodities in the public distribution system(PDS).

Mr Khandu said this at a meeting of deputy commissioners and district supply officers of Tezu, Anini, Aalo, Ziro, Seppa and Tawang here yesterday.

Calling for reports on the available depots and gowdowns in Lohit, Dibang Valley, West Siang, Lower Subansiri, East Kameng and Tawang districts for setting up of the proposed Food Corporation of India(FCI) base depots, Khandu informed that the rental rate will be uniform for all the districts.

Highlighting the central policy, the chief minister said that FCI would deliver the PDS items at the base depots for the nominees to transport it to different parts of the district to end the earlier practice of collecting items from FCI depots or railway heads in Asom which resulted in non-availability of those essential items because of nefarious practice.

''FCI would ensure delivery of PDS items at the base depots and under any circumstances direct the nominees to pick up essential items from any other depots,'' he said, adding an FCI official would be monitoring the operation in the state too.

Suggesting engaging cooperative societies and different local nominees on contract for each district for distribution of PDS, Mr Khandu said that bills forwarded by the DCs would only be entertained to check false billing.

However, he directed the civil supplies director to immediate report on the pending bills from April 2004 - June 2007 to facilitate settlement.

After giving a patient hearing to the problems of the DSOs, the chief minister also asked chief secretary Tabom Bam to issue directives to the DCs to prepare report on the PDS in the districts, including public distribution centres and also details on head load system wherever absolutely required.

UNI