PDS system defunct in J&K due to corruption: CPI

Srinagar, Feb 13 (PTI) The Jammu and Kashmir chapterof CPI(M) today alleged that the Public Distribution System(PDS) has become defunct in the state due to corruption.

"Peoples concerns are being ignored and PDS has gotdefunct in the state.. government seems in no mood to infuseresponsiveness and accountability in its machinery to solvethe problems of the people," CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami saidin a statement.

Tarigami alleged that the working of the PDS was "toocorrupt" and there are "instances of pilferages and bunglingday in and day out".

"Such a trend of malpractices was causing scarcities,black-marketing, hoarding and profiteering, thereby tellingupon the economies of the common man," he said.

Urging the Omar Abdullah-led state government to takeimmediate measures for arranging required stocks of rationfrom the Centre to benefit the uncovered population, Tarigamisaid "hunger cannot wait".

He alleged that encouraging the corporate sector atthe cost agriculture was satiating the interest of a minorsection and said this must not happen in a developing economywhich is dependable on the agriculture and allied sectors.